US Economy Lost 92,000 Jobs in February Amid Iran War Inflation Shock

Payrolls didn’t just “cool”—they went backward: -92,000 vs +55,000 expected, unemployment up to 4.4%, while core PCE runs 3.1% for a second month. The Fed still held rates 11–1 and now sees basically one 2026 cut, with Middle East conflict keeping energy prices (and everyone’s bills) hot.