Unemployment falls to 9.0 pct., only 36K new jobs

[steve2470]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110204/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/us_economy

The unemployment rate dropped sharply last month to 9 percent, based on a government survey that found that more than a half-million people found work.

A separate survey of company payrolls showed a scant increase of 36,000 net jobs as snowstorms likely hampered hiring. That survey doesn't count the self-employed.

Harsh snowstorms last month cut into construction employment, which fell by 32,000, the most since May. Transportation and warehousing was also likely affected and fell by 38,000 — the most in a year.

"The thumbprints of the weather were all over this report," said Neil Dutta, an economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Hiring was suppressed last month and will likely rebound in February, he said.