Private payrolls in the U.S. only increased by 175,000 in January, below most economists? projections and the smallest increase in over five months. January also represented weak numbers across goods producers, including the first decline in manufacturing payrolls since July. Professional and business services continued to experience the largest growth out of all industries. Companies with fewer than 50 employees grew by the most out of all size categories, with large employers adding the fewest jobs. Many analysts blame the continued cold weather for the declines. Economists expect that the Department of Labor will report an increase in payrolls, including government agencies, to be approximately 184,000 and that the unemployment rate will be about the same as in December, 6.7%.
See "Companies in U.S. Added Fewer Workers Than Forecast in January", Shobhana Chandra, Bloomberg News, February 5, 2014