WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. businesses added 183,000 jobs last month, a solid gain that shows the economy was largely healthy when the coronavirus outbreak spread further around the globe.
Manufacturing and mining firms shed jobs last month, while hiring in health care and a category mostly made up of hotels and restaurants was strong.
Economists forecast that the government will report on Friday that 173,000 jobs were added last month, according to data provider FactSet.
Zandi, however, also noted that larger firms have more resources and could likely weather a temporary hit from the virus more easily than smaller firms.
Still, some smaller companies also import parts from overseas, and if they are forced to cut back on production, will have a harder time keeping workers on their payrolls, he said.