Nonfarm Payrolls vs Unemployment Rate: Correlation Analysis
Pearson correlation of daily returns for Nonfarm Payrolls and Unemployment Rate (U3). Rolling windows, yearly breakdown, regression beta, and divergence analysis. Data window spans to (56 aligned observations).
What the Number Means
The -0.50 correlation indicates that Nonfarm Payrolls and Unemployment Rate (U3) have a moderate tendency to move in opposite directions. The relationship is real but noisy, with frequent days where they disagree. Regime context matters: the correlation often strengthens during stress and weakens during calm periods.
Recent vs Long-Run Behavior
Recent correlation tracks the long-run relationship closely. No meaningful divergence. The historical pattern between Nonfarm Payrolls and Unemployment Rate (U3) is intact and should continue to serve as a reasonable baseline for positioning.
Statistical Details (1-Year Window)
| Pearson Correlation (r) | -0.498 |
| R-Squared (r²) | 0.248 |
| Beta (Nonfarm Payrolls vs Unemployment Rate (U3)) | -0.022 |
| Daily Volatility σ(Nonfarm Payrolls) | 0.16% |
| Daily Volatility σ(Unemployment Rate (U3)) | 3.61% |
| Observations | 56 |
Correlation measures directional co-movement; R² quantifies the fraction of variance explained by the linear relationship. Beta is the slope coefficient from regressing Nonfarm Payrolls returns on Unemployment Rate (U3) returns. A beta above 1 means the first asset amplifies moves of the second.
Year-by-Year Correlation
| Year | Correlation | Strength | Observations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | Insufficient data | 3 |
| 2025 | +0.332 | Weak positive | 11 |
| 2024 | -0.150 | Essentially uncorrelated | 12 |
| 2023 | +0.281 | Weak positive | 12 |
| 2022 | -0.329 | Weak negative | 12 |
| 2021 | -0.112 | Essentially uncorrelated | 6 |
Year-by-year correlation reveals how the relationship has held up across different macro regimes. Sharp year-over-year swings in correlation often mark the transition between stress and calm periods.
Methodology
Correlations are computed on daily log-adjacent returns for Nonfarm Payrolls and Unemployment Rate (U3), aligned on shared trading dates. We use the Pearson product-moment coefficient, which measures the linear relationship between two return series.
Windows are the most recent N observations for 30D, 90D, and 1Y (252 trading days); the 5Y figure uses all aligned data up to 1,260 observations. Beta is the OLS slope from regressing the first series on the second. Data updates daily with a 24-hour revalidation cadence.
Related Correlations
More Comparisons
Get daily macro analysis on shifting correlations, regime transitions, and cross-asset signals.
Correlation is not causation and backward-looking statistics can fail when regimes shift. Positions sized on historical correlation assumptions should be stress-tested against scenarios where the relationship breaks. For informational purposes only.