The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there were 145,000 jobs created in the month of December, which was slightly lower than the 158,000 expected. Additionally, there were 14,000 in negative revisions to the previous two months. The Unemployment Rate remained stable at 3.5%. Average hourly earnings decreased from 3.1% year over year to 2.9%. But the more important figure and the real story here is Average Weekly earnings, which decreased sharply from 3.1% to 2.3% year over year.