The U.S. economy added just 80,000 jobs during the month of October — fewer than analysts had expected. The unemployment rate went from 9.1% to 9.0% during the month, continuing a trend of small fluctuations but overall stagnation.

Considering how few jobs were actually created, the drop in unemployment is likely due to workers giving up their searches and dropping out the workforce. That reduces the pool of unemployed “workers” and would lower the rate officially, though obviously with harsh repercussions on the economy.

More: CNBC confirms analysts were expecting a job creation number upwards of 100,000 for the month. Stocks are now expected to open lower on discouraging jobs data. Quoth CNBC: “The unemployment rate is stuck at 9.0 percent where it likely will be for many months to come.”