Quick Read
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics drastically revised 2025 nonfarm payrolls downward by 898,000 jobs on February 11, 2026.
- Total 2025 job growth was cut from 584,000 to 181,000, averaging 15,000 jobs per month.
- Delayed January 2026 jobs report showed a gain of 130,000 nonfarm payrolls, exceeding consensus estimates.
- Unemployment rate for January 2026 edged down to 4.3 percent.
- The U.S. dollar softened against G10 currencies following the reports and revisions.
WASHINGTON D.C. (Azat TV) – The U.S. labor market narrative for 2025 has been significantly rewritten following a major benchmark revision by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on February 11, 2026. This downward adjustment to past job growth, coupled with the release of the delayed January 2026 employment report, has provided professional traders on platforms like Forex Factory with critical new data points influencing currency markets and economic forecasts.
The BLS revealed that total nonfarm payroll employment for March 2025 was revised downward by a substantial 898,000 jobs. Consequently, the overall job growth for 2025, which was initially reported at a gain of 584,000, has been slashed to just 181,000. This translates to an average monthly increase of only 15,000 jobs throughout 2025, a stark contrast to earlier perceptions and a crucial piece of information for foreign exchange (forex) market participants who rely on precise economic indicators.
January 2026 Jobs Report Navigates Delays and Market Expectations
Adding to the dynamic economic picture, the January 2026 nonfarm payrolls report was released on February 11, 2026, after a nearly week-long delay attributed to a partial government shutdown that concluded on February 3. Economists had widely anticipated a subdued report, with some, like Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, forecasting near-nil job growth for the month. The Dow Jones consensus estimate hovered around 55,000 new jobs.
Despite these tempered expectations, the BLS reported that nonfarm payroll employment rose by 130,000 in January, exceeding the consensus forecast. The unemployment rate also edged lower to 4.3 percent, a slight improvement from the prior month’s 4.4 percent forecast. Job gains were primarily observed in sectors such as health care, social assistance, and construction, while federal government and financial activities experienced job losses. This January performance marked an improvement over December, which saw a revised gain of 48,000 jobs.
The Broader Impact on Forex Markets and Global Currencies
The confluence of the upward-surprising January 2026 report and the significant downward revision of 2025 data has created a complex environment for forex traders. The immediate aftermath saw the U.S. dollar soften against all G10 currencies, as reported by marctomarket.com. This movement suggests that while the January data offered some relief, the revised historical context of slower growth in 2025 might be prompting a re-evaluation of the dollar’s strength and the overall health of the U.S. economy.
Currency markets are also contending with broader geopolitical tensions, including an approaching confrontation with Iran, which adds another layer of uncertainty to trading decisions. Professional traders, utilizing platforms like Forex Factory for its economic calendar and real-time news feeds, are closely monitoring these developments to inform their strategies.
Economic Calendar: A Critical Tool for Traders
The timely and accurate dissemination of economic data, such as the jobs report and its subsequent revisions, is paramount for forex traders. Platforms like Forex Factory serve as vital hubs, offering not only detailed economic calendars that highlight upcoming releases but also providing a network for traders to discuss and interpret these market-moving events. The ability to quickly access and analyze fresh data, alongside benchmark revisions, allows traders to adjust their positions and react to shifts in fundamental economic indicators.
The substantial revision to 2025’s job growth figures underscores the dynamic and often retrospective nature of economic reporting, reminding traders that initial data can be subject to significant change and that a comprehensive understanding of economic trends requires continuous monitoring of both current releases and historical adjustments.