Nonfarm labor productivity was down 2.1 percent at an annualized rate in the first quarter, revised up from the 2.7 percent decline originally reported, and outperforming Econoday's consensus that had anticipated no revision. Compared to a year ago, productivity decreased 0.8 percent. Unit labor costs were up 4.2 percent, revised down from 6.3 percent, below Econoday's consensus.

Output increased 0.5 percent and hours worked 2.6 percent, revised from preliminary growth estimates of 0.2 percent and 3.0 percent, respectively.

A downward revision to hourly compensation, now up 2.1 percent instead of the 3.4 percent preliminary growth estimate outpaced a downward revision to hours worked, now up 2.6 percent instead of the 3.0 percent, bringing down the estimate for unit labor costs. Unit labor costs were up 3.8 percent compared to the first quarter 2022.

The second-estimate for first-quarter nonfarm productivity is expected to remain unchanged from the first estimate, at minus 2.7 percent. Unit labor costs are also expected to remain unchanged, at a 6.3 percent spike.

Productivity measures the growth of labor efficiency in producing the economy's goods and services. Unit labor costs reflect the labor costs of producing each unit of output. Both are followed as indicators of future inflationary trends.

Productivity growth is critical because it allows for higher wages and faster economic growth without inflationary consequences. In periods of robust economic growth, productivity ensures that inflation will remain well behaved despite tight labor markets. Productivity growth is also a key factor in helping to increase the overall wealth of an economy since real wage gains can be made when workers are more productive per hour.

Productivity and labor cost trends have varied over the decades. In the late 1990s, some economists asserted that dramatic productivity advances (based on new technologies) were then allowing the economy to sustain a much faster pace of growth than previously thought possible. Initially, some Fed officials expressed skepticism but later decided that productivity gains had helped boost economic growth and potential GDP growth during the 1990s. That is, the economy could grow faster than previously believed without igniting inflation.

Determining the source of productivity gains has become trickier over the last decade as new technology continues to be incorporated into production - not just in the U.S. but overseas also. Similarly, retraining U.S. workers has been sporadic. Not just low skill jobs are outsourced but now many highly skilled jobs such as programming and accounting are as well. Nonetheless, highly skilled professional jobs have been increasingly difficult to fill during times of high demand. Despite the cross currents in labor market trends, long-term productivity gains are important for maintaining growth in labor income and keeping inflation low.

But in the short-term, output and hours worked can shift sharply just due to cyclical swings in the economy. During the onset of recession, output typically falls before hours worked. This can result in a temporary drop in productivity and a spike in unit labor costs. So, while long-term productivity determines the"speed limit" for long-term growth, one should not be misled by short-term cyclical gyrations in productivity numbers as reflecting the true, underlying trend.