Hiring slows and unemployment ticks higher in September, a month before Americans head to polls

U.S. employers added 29,000 jobs in September, far below expectations of about 90,000, while unemployment rose to 4.2% from 4.1% in August, according to the Labor Department. Hiring slowed to 133,000 jobs in August (revised) and revisions cut about 60,000 jobs from combined July and August figures. Average hourly wages increased 3% year over year, the smallest gain since May 2021. The report arrives a month before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Analysts said weaker labor data may influence the Federal Reserve toward holding rates steady, though inflation has stayed above its 2% target for more than five years.