Unemployment Falls Despite Weak Jobs Report

Washington, DC, Feb. 7, 2014 -- The economy gained 113,000 jobs in January and the unemployment rate fell to 6.6% from 6.7%, according to the Labor Department.

The jobs number was lower than expected. Economists were looking for closer to 180,000 jobs.

The unemployment rate was the lowest level since October 2008 even as more Americans entered the labor force.

Retailers and government agencies cut payrolls by the most in more than a year, while construction firms and manufacturers increased employment.