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Data from FMP. Forecasts by Sigmanomics Forecast Engine.
United StatesUS Participation Rate held to 61.8% in May 2026
FMPMonthlyReleased June 2026
US Participation Rate held to 61.8% in May 2026, released June 2026. The reading matched the 61.7% consensus. Over the past 3 months, Participation Rate averaged 61.85%, vs 62.3% in the prior 3-month window. Participation Rate is now the lowest in 39 months.
Latest Release
61.8
Actual
61.7
Consensus
61.8
Previous
Median Absolute Error
±0.15 percentage points
across last 12 releases
Last Call
Jun 2026
Predicted: 61.7
Actual: 61.8
Error: -0.1
Sigmacast Σ-direction model: consensus + ½ × mean(surprise, trailing 90d).
CORRELATED SYMBOLS— markets that historically move with this indicator
| Symbol | Direction | Correlation | Asset Class | Signal Bias | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD/CAD | ▲ Direct | +0.60 | FOREX | Bullish USD | → View |
| AAPL | ▼ Inverse | −0.34 | STOCKS | Bearish AAPL | → View |
| S&P 500 | ▲ Direct | +0.30 | INDEX | Bullish S&P 500 | → View |
| XAU/USD | ▼ Inverse | −0.27 | COMMODITIES | Bearish XAU | → View |
Correlation based on 12-month rolling window. Click any symbol to view its Sigmanomics forecast page.
THE RELEASE
Participation Rate (United States) was reported at 61.8% in June 2026. This beat the market consensus of 61.7% by 0.1%. The reading was unchanged from the previous release. Trailing 12-month context per ETL data through June 2026. Over the past 12 months, the indicator has averaged 62.23%, ranging from 61.8% to 62.5% across 7 releases. This is classified as a medium-impact indicator released on a monthly basis.
WHY IT MATTERS
The indicator has been trending downward over the last three releases. The trailing three releases averaged 62.1%, down from the prior three at 62.37%. Volatility over the past year (σ 0.23%) is lower than the prior year (σ 2.26%). In June readings over the past 3 years, Participation Rate has averaged 62.23%.
THE MODEL'S TAKE
Historically, this indicator is positively correlated with USD/CAD (Bullish USD). A secondary relationship exists with AAPL, negatively correlated (Bearish AAPL). Over the last 12 releases, the Sigmacast model's median absolute error is 0.15%.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
The next release is scheduled for July 2, 2026. Same-country events in the next 14 days include NY Empire State Manufacturing Index (Jun 15) and Industrial Production MoM (Jun 15).
Auto-generated from current model state · Refreshes on each release · Last update June 2026.
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Participation Rate - US
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About Participation Rate — United States
DEFINITION
The participation rate is a financial indicator that measures the percentage of the working-age population that is either employed or actively seeking employment. It is used to assess the level of labor force participation in an economy and can provide insights into the overall health and strength of the job market. A higher participation rate is generally seen as a positive sign of a robust economy, while a lower rate may indicate a weaker job market. This indicator is closely monitored by economists and policymakers to inform decisions related to employment and economic policies.
WHY THIS INDICATOR MATTERS
This release contributes to the broader macro picture used by cross-asset investors for positioning and risk management. Surprises against consensus can drive short-term moves, particularly when the print breaks an established trend. Released monthly.
WHAT CHANGED THIS MONTH
Latest reading (May 2026): actual 61.8 %, consensus 61.7 %. Prior reading (Apr 2026): 61.8 %. Before that (Mar 2026): 61.9 %.
WHAT'S NEXT
Sigmacast's 1-month forecast points to a similar reading versus the latest print, with the 3-month outlook diverging from that direction. The 1-month and 3-month horizons disagree, suggesting a mixed signal. Trend-driven dynamics are the primary headwind in the current projection. This indicator correlates most strongly with USD/CAD (Bullish USD, r=0.60) — a useful reference for forex-focused traders.