If you look at the manufacturing data only, the relative strength of the jobs figures surprised. Another positive development were the upward revisions for August and July. The unemployment rate again dropped, this time to 3.5 percent. What will that mean for the Fed and gold? September Payrolls Slow Down, but Unemployment Rate Drops Anyway The U.S. created only 136,000 jobs in September, following an increase of 168,000 in August (after an upward revision). The nonfarm payrolls were short of the analysts' forecast of 150,000. The gains were widespread, spearheaded by education and health services (+40,000) and ... (full story)