04/06/2026
Week in Review (4/3/2026)
Hi, this is Jane Perry with your weekly market update.
It was a busy week for jobs data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that March job growth came in well above expectations. The economy added 178,000 jobs, even though forecasts had called for a gain of just 60,000. Payroll numbers for January and February were revised slightly lower, and the unemployment rate edged down from 4.4% to 4.3%.
Meanwhile, ADP showed private employers added 62,000 jobs in March, above expectations of around 40,000. But those gains were concentrated in a few sectors, suggesting the job market may not be as broad-based as it appears.
We’re also seeing signs of that shift in pay. Workers who change jobs are still seeing stronger wage growth – about 6.6% compared to 4.5% for those who stay put – but that gap has narrowed. In other words, switching jobs doesn’t come with the same big pay bump it did a couple of years ago.
Other data points show signs of softening. Revelio Labs reported a modest 19,000 job gain in March, mostly in healthcare and social services. Continuing unemployment claims also remain elevated at 1.84 million, a sign that it’s taking longer for people to find new work.
Layoff announcements are ticking higher as well, with just over 60,000 cuts reported in March.
Even with some softening in the labor market, home values remain resilient. Prices have now increased for six straight months, according to Case-Shiller, at an annual pace of about 3.3%. And even modest appreciation adds up. A $500,000 home gaining 3% in value would mean about $15,000 in equity in just one year.
If you’re thinking about buying, refinancing, or just have questions, I’m here to help. Reach out anytime.
This information is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. All information is provided in good faith; however, no representation or warranty is made of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy and validity of any information. The information contained herein represents the views and opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of ServisFirst Bank, and ServisFirst Bank does not make any representations or warranties with respect to its accuracy or reliability.
