The unemployment rate fell to 4.4%, slightly better than forecasts for 4.5%. The figures reinforced the view among policymakers that the economy is experiencing a "no hire, no fire†phase, with companies reluctant to add workers but also unwilling to cut jobs aggressively. Job gains narrow to a few sectors Copy link to section Hiring continued to be concentrated in a narrow set of industries. Employment rose in food services and drinking places, health care, and social assistance, while retail trade shed job ...