Understanding the indicator
U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls
Nonfarm Payrolls measures the monthly change in U.S. employment outside agriculture.
The report is released monthly and usually sets the tone for the U.S. jobs-data reaction.
Red bars mean actual was less than forecast. Greenish bars mean actual was greater than forecast. A white dot marks the forecast. A bluish revision dot marks an upward revision, and a red revision dot marks a downward revision.
Surprise is actual minus forecast. A release above forecast often supports the U.S. dollar and Treasury yields. A shortfall can have the opposite effect. Revisions show changes to earlier payroll estimates.