Nonfarm business productivity was up 1.6% in the first quarter; this was up from last quarters 2.9% increase. 1.6% is better than the analyst’s projection of 1.5% increase. Growth in productivity came from an increase in output gain of 3.1% in non-farm business sector. Hours worked also increased by 1.4%. However, unit labor cost came in worse rising 1.0%; the anticipated number was 0.8%.
| Prior | Consensus | Consensus Range | Actual | |
| Nonfarm productivity – Q/Q change – SAAR | 2.6 % | 1.5 % | 0.5 % to 3.1 % | 1.6 % |
| Unit labor costs – Q/Q change – SAAR | -0.6 % | 0.8 % | -0.4 % to 1.2 % | 1.0 % |