manufacturing

Although millions of Americans are out of work or working from home, many are still working at factories nationwide. They have some lessons on what it will take to "reopen" the country safely.

The coronavirus pandemic is taking a toll on the nation's factories. Manufacturing activity slumped in March as the virus cut into both supply and demand.

U.S. employers added more jobs than expected last month, while the unemployment rate inched up to 3.6%. Unusually warm weather contributed to job gains for construction workers.

Women got the lion's share of new jobs in December and now outnumber men on U.S. payrolls. This unusual situation reflects the growth of industries like health care where women dominate.

December's job growth is down slightly from the three previous months, when employers added an average of 200,000 jobs. But the unemployment rate held steady at 3.5%, matching a 50-year low.

The aircraft giant is the top U.S. exporter, and its decision to suspend production of the 737 Max is likely to ripple through the supply chain. Several analysts project that the move will cut growth.

U.S. employers added 136,000 jobs in September — a sign of continued resilience in the labor market amid growing signals that the economy is losing steam. The jobless rate was the lowest since 1969.

The Labor Department says U.S. employers added 130,000 jobs in August, fewer than private analysts had expected. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7%.

Manufacturing activity in the U.S. shrank last month for the first time in three years. Factories are especially sensitive to international forces, including the ongoing trade wars.

As the trade war drags on, more manufacturers are looking to relocate from China to avoid Trump's tariffs. A firm that sells Isaac Mizrahi's clothing line has already shifted much of its production.

Investors paused to catch their breath Thursday after the stock market suffered its worst drop of the year the day before. Consumer spending is still strong, despite signs of a looming recession.