The December jobs report is likely to provide only limited clarity on where the labor market is headed, with experts differing on how pronounced a slowdown there is in hiring.
The unemployment rate is forecast to hold steady at 4.2%.
"Things are leveling off a little bit.
Goldman Sachs, for one, estimates that payroll growth will come in at just 125,000, with the unemployment rate drifting up to 4.3%.
At the Federal Reserve's December meeting, officials noted an "ongoing gradual easing in labor market" conditions, but saw "no signs of rapid deterioration," according to minutes released Wednesday.
Persons:
it's, Maureen Hoersten, Michelle Bowman, Goldman Sachs, Andrew Hollenhorst, Hoersten
Organizations:
New York, Bronx Library Center, of Labor Statistics, LaSalle Network, Federal, Citigroup, Labor Statistics
Locations:
Bronx, New York, nonfarm payrolls, Chicago