Jones Lang LaSalle


Mixed messages from economy

New Jersey’s economy is sending out mixed signals.Employers added 4,700 jobs last month, according to the latest report from the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development released today.

But the state’s unemployment rate rose to 4.7 percent from 4.5 percent. This is the highest level since August 2004, though it is still below the national unemployment rate of 4.8 percent.Some experts say the unemployment rate can rise even as companies are hiring because people who may have dropped out of the work force are encouraged to resume looking for a job.