U.S. Economy Shed 23,000 Jobs in July as Unemployment Rate Fell

The U.S. economy lost 23,000 nonfarm payrolls in July 2026, against consensus expectations for positive job growth, the WSJ reported August 8. The unemployment rate ticked lower in the same report. The two figures come from different surveys — establishment (payrolls) and household (unemployment) — and can diverge when labor force participation shifts. The dollar fell to a seven-week low; gold hit a seven-week high.