The jobs report is extremely important, especially now, because in October 2009, the unemployment rate surged to a 26-year high of 10.2%! Over the past few months, the number of job losses have steadily declined as the unemployment rate edged higher. If this trend continues we can easily turn positive (i.e. start creating jobs) in the near future which will bode well for the economic recovery. That said, Wall Street watches this report very closely because a stronger jobs picture translates into a healthier economy. A healthier economy translates into stronger sales and earnings which, in turn, translates into higher stock prices. Sometimes, ladies and gentlemen, it is that simple.