Jobless claims

The U.S. added 531,000 to payrolls in October after large upward revisions to the prior two months.

Companies are desperate to hire workers as labor shortages continue to plague production and boost prices.

The deceleration in hiring likely reflects both growing fears about the rapidly spreading delta variant of COVID-19 and difficulties filling vacant positions.

Unlike past recessions, millions abruptly left the workforce as soon as the pandemic began and are still not seeking employment.

Difficulty attracting workers is slowing momentum in the labor market.

The job market is strengthening as employers look to fill positions left empty by the pandemic.

The pandemic has pushed out older employees and is deepening inequality as lower income workers feel the brunt of the crisis.

The decrease in claims shows the labor market continues to improve as more Americans get vaccinated.

The data show a jobs recession that was hardest on women without college degrees and Black and Hispanic women, and was pretty tough on men without college degrees and Hispanic men too.

Pandemic job losses have disproportionately impacted minorities.