While the economy is still short around 4 million jobs compared to pre-pandemic levels, 531,000 jobs were added last month, according to the latest monthly employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
If initial weekly claims remain below pre-pandemic levels, the improved labor market could exert pressure on the Federal Reserve to accelerate its tapering schedule, which Fed Chair Jerome Powell announced this month would total $15 billion a month
Since June 2020, the central bank has been purchasing $120 billion in bonds every month — $80 billion in Treasuries and $40 billion in mortgage-backed securities — to add liquidity and keep the financial system working efficiently
Powell announced at the time that the central bank is “prepared to adjust the pace of purchases if warranted by changes in the economic outlook.”