From CNBC News:
"The U-6 unemployment number, which accounts for the underemployed and those who have given up looking for jobs, held steady at 14.7 percent."
"With a gain of 114,000 jobs in September and an upward revision for August, this economy remains on a slow but not slowing growth path," said Kathy Bostjancic, director of macroeconomic analysis at The Conference Board. "Right now, slow job and income growth is about all the economy is capable of generating as businesses remain focused on cutting costs."
"With President Obama trying to stave off a challenge from Republican Mitt Romney, the state of the economy remains the critical point. Friday's report underscored how slowly the jobs market is recovering from the depths of the 2008 financial crisis and likely will stoke increased debate amid the halting gains the latest numbers indicate.
While the headline unemployment rate number likely will be something the president touts on the campaign trail,
few on Wall Street expected it to be a game-changer relative to the overall jobs
picture."
"When you look at the payrolls numbers, they are bumping along where we have been around this 100,000 level, which is not enough to consistently reduce the unemployment rate," said Lee Ferridge, head of macro strategy for North America at State Street Global Markets. "The overall message is one of plodding along."