Solid US Hiring Likely, But Americans Are Anxious

WASHINGTON (AP) — Economists are forecasting that employment data being released by the government this morning is in line with recent strong gains.

Economists surveyed by FactSet predict 230,000 jobs were added in October, with the unemployment rate forecast to remain at a six-year low of 5.9 percent.

The healthy job growth has highlighted a contradiction laid bare by Tuesday's election results: According to most broad measures, the economy is improving steadily and nearing full health. Yet most Americans say they remain anxious about it. Only about one-third see it as improving.

So why aren't Americans more cheerful?

Analysts point to several factors. Better hiring and growth have barely boosted paychecks for the vast majority of earners. And what wage gains have occurred have benefited mainly the wealthiest. For everyone else, incomes stagnated or declined.