As interest rates have fallen this year with, as yet, little apparent effect, so the Fed's room for manoeuvre has shrunk.

ECONOMIST: The Fed keeps cutting

Some of those listening to him were sub-contractors to the Patton Group and they raised their concerns about the knock-on effect that the building firm's apparent collapse would have on their businesses.

BBC: 190 jobs to go at Patton Group in Ballymena

Veteran number watchers have gotten used to the usual explanation that this apparent anomaly is caused by the discouraged worker effect.

FORBES: Silver Linings In Employment Data