Events · who it helps and who it hurts

Unemployment rate

The share of people looking for work who cannot find it, published with the jobs report.

Next release: Oct 2, 2026 at 08:30 US/Eastern · Last release: Aug 1, 2026, read as hotter

The reads below are for when unemployment rises more than expected. Expect the opposite when unemployment falls. Hotter was the last call.

Sectors

Basic MaterialsUsually hurtsA slowing economy uses less steel, copper and chemicals.

Communication ServicesUsually helpsLower rates help growth-priced media and internet companies.

Consumer CyclicalUsually hurtsFewer paychecks means less spending at stores, restaurants and dealers.

EnergyUsually hurtsLess commuting, shipping and factory activity means less fuel demand.

Financial ServicesUsually hurtsMore missed loan payments and less borrowing; lower rates also thin banks' margins.

IndustrialsUsually hurtsRising layoffs signal factories and builders are slowing.

Real EstateUsually helpsLower rates ease property companies' heavy borrowing costs.

TechnologyUsually helpsRising joblessness pushes the Fed toward lower rates, which lifts growth-priced tech.

UtilitiesUsually helpsUtilities trade like bonds and rise when rates fall.

Consumer DefensiveLittle effectGrocery and household spending barely changes with the job market.

HealthcareLittle effectHealthcare demand does not depend on hiring.

Where each sector’s relative strength sits this week is on the rotation board.

Staffing & Employment ServicesUsually hurtsFewer hires means fewer fees for staffing firms.

AirlinesUsually hurtsLeisure travel drops with employment.

Credit ServicesUsually hurtsCard lenders see more missed payments as unemployment rises.

Residential ConstructionUsually helpsLower mortgage rates bring buyers back, outweighing the weaker job picture.

RestaurantsUsually hurtsPeople eat out less when jobs are lost.