article_snippet: But the decline in the jobless rate from 5.7 to 5.5 per cent occurred mainly because some people out of work stopped looking for jobs and were no longer counted as unemployed, according to federal officials.
article_snippet: Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the jobless rate falling one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.6 per cent.
article_snippet: Progress: the jobless rate dropped to a more than six-year low of 5.5 per cent .
article_snippet: The fourth quarter's slowdown occurred largely because companies reduced companies stockpiles of goods, which translated into lower factory output.
highlights_snippet: Labor Department says decline in jobless rate from 5.7 to 5.5 per cent occurred  because some people stopped looking for work .
  