【U.S. Economic Data】U.S. non-farm payrolls added 115k jobs in April, exceeding expectations | April unemployment rate remains at 4.3%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that in April, non-farm payrolls fell back to 115,000 jobs added, but remained higher than expectations of 65,000. The prior figure was revised upward from 178,000 to 185,000. During the period, the unemployment rate was maintained at 4.3%.

$1 below is data as of May 7, 2026===

U.S. initial unemployment claims last week rose to 200,000, below expectations｜April layoffs rose 38% month-over-month to 83,000

For the week ending May 2, 2026, initial unemployment claims in the U.S. were 200,000, below the market expectation of 205,000; the prior figure was revised from 189,000 to 190,000. For the week ending April 25, 2026, the number of continued unemployment claims in the U.S. was 1,766,000, down 10,000 week-over-week. The market had originally expected an increase of 24,000 to 1,800,000.

Data from staffing firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas showed that the number of layoffs announced by U.S. companies in April this year rose 38% month-over-month to 83,000, and fell 20.7% year-over-year.

The firm said that the tech industry was the worst-hit sector in April, with 33,000 layoffs. The government sector also cut 9,149 jobs.

$1 below is data as of May 6, 2026===

U.S. April ADP employment rebounds to 109,000, below expectations

U.S. April ADP employment—so-called “small non-farm”—increased by 109,000, slightly below expectations of 120,000. The March figure was revised down from 62,000 to 61,000.

$1 below is data as of May 5, 2026===

U.S. April ISM Services Index falls to 53.6, below expectations｜March JOLTS job openings drop to 68.66 million, above expectations

U.S. March trade deficit widened to $60.3 billion, slightly below the market’s $61 billion forecast. The prior figure was $57.8 billion.

U.S. March imports rose 2.3% month-over-month, smaller than the expected 2.7% and the prior 4.4%. Exports rose 2% month-over-month, higher than the market expectation of 1.9%. The prior figure was revised down to 4.1%.

U.S. April services PMI final value was revised down from the preliminary 51.3 to 51.

U.S. March sales rose 7.4% month-over-month to 682,000, above expectations of 652,000. February new home sales rose 8.9% month-over-month to 635,000, slightly below the market forecast of 636,000; the prior figure was revised down to 583,000.

U.S. April ISM Services Index fell from 54 in March to 53.6, slightly below expectations of 53.7. The services prices index held at 70.7, below the market expectation of 73.5. The new orders index sharply dropped from 60.6 in March to 53.5, far below the expected 57.3. The employment index rebounded to 48, but remained below expectations of 48.3.

U.S. March JOLTS job openings fell from 6.922 million in February to 6.866 million, slightly above expectations of 6.85 million.

$1 below is data as of May 4, 2026===

U.S. March factory orders rise 1.5% month-over-month, above expectations

U.S. March factory orders rose 1.5% month-over-month, exceeding the market forecast of 0.5% and the prior 0.3%.

$1 below is data as of May 1, 2026===

U.S. April ISM Manufacturing Index at 52.7, below expectations｜Price index hits more than a 4-year high

The U.S. April ISM Manufacturing Index was 52.7, below expectations of 53.2; the prior value was 52.7. Among the components, the manufacturing prices paid index rose to 84.6, the highest since April 2022, and also above expectations of 80; the prior value was 78.3. The manufacturing employment index was 46.4, below expectations of 48.8; the prior value was 48.7. The manufacturing new orders index was 54.1, below expectations of 54.5; the prior value was 53.5.

In addition, the April S&P Global U.S. manufacturing PMI final value was 54.5, higher than the initial 54.

$1 below is data as of April 30, 2026===

Q1 GDP estimated to grow 2%, driven by private investment and consumption｜March PCE price index rises 3.5%｜Initial jobless claims fall to 189,000

U.S. Q1 GDP is estimated to grow 2%, worse than expectations of 2.3%, and the prior value was 0.5%. Among components, personal consumption grew 1.9% but slowed to 1.6%, still above expectations of 1.4%, contributing 1.08 percentage points to GDP. Private investment contributed 1.48 percentage points, government spending contributed 0.73 percentage points, while net exports offset 1.3 percentage points.

U.S. March PCE price index rose 3.5% year-over-year, in line with market expectations. On a month-over-month basis, it rose 0.7%, meeting expectations; the prior value was 0.4%. Core PCE price index rose 3.2% year-over-year during the period, also in line with expectations. The prior value was 3%. On a month-over-month basis, it rose 0.3%, in line with expectations.

For the week ending April 25, 2026, initial unemployment claims were 189,000, below the market expectation of 212,000. The prior value was revised from 214,000 to 215,000. For the week ending April 18, 2026, the number of continued unemployment claims in the U.S. was 1,785,000, down 23,000 week-over-week. The market originally expected an increase of 10,000 to 1,815,000.

$1 below is data as of April 29, 2026===

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced that last Friday (24th), crude oil inventories unexpectedly decreased by 6.233 million barrels. The market had originally expected an increase of 300,000 barrels, compared with the prior figure of an increase of 1.925 million barrels.

U.S. March durable goods orders—preliminary—rose 0.8% month-over-month, exceeding the expected 0.5%.

U.S. March retail inventories rose 0.7% month-over-month, higher than the expected 0.1% and the prior 0.3%.

U.S. March housing starts reached 1.502 million units, higher than expectations of 1.38 million and February’s 1.356 million.

$1 below is data as of April 28, 2026===

The U.S. April Conference Board consumer confidence index unexpectedly rose, increasing from 92.2 in March to the latest 92.8. The market originally expected it to fall to 89.

$1 below is data as of April 23, 2026===

April S&P Global U.S. manufacturing PMI was 54, above expectations of 52.5, with the previous figure at 52.3. Services PMI was 51.3, above expectations of 50.6, with the previous figure at 49.8. Composite PMI was 52, above expectations of 50.6, with the previous figure at 50.3.

In addition, initial unemployment claims in the U.S. last week were 214,000, higher than expectations of 210,000, and the prior figure was revised from 207,000 to 208,000. As of April 11, the number of continuing unemployment claims was 1,821,000, higher than expectations of 1,816,000. The prior figure was revised from 1,809,000 down to 1,809,000.

$1 below is data as of April 14, 2026===

U.S. March PPI rose 0.5% month-over-month, below expectations｜March core PPI rose 0.1% month-over-month

U.S. March PPI’s year-over-year growth accelerated from 3.4% in February to 4%, but remained below expectations of 4.6%. Month-over-month, it rose 0.5%, also below the market expectation of 1.1%. The prior value was 0.5%. March core PPI rose 3.8% year-over-year, the same as February, but below expectations of 4.1%. Month-over-month, it rose 0.1%, also below expectations of 0.4% and the prior value of 0.2%.

$1 below is data as of April 10, 2026===

The U.S. released its first inflation data after the U.S.-Iran conflict. In March, the overall CPI rose 3.3% year-over-year after February’s 2.4%, slightly below market expectations. On a month-over-month basis, the increase rose by 0.6 percentage points to 0.9%, in line with expectations. Core CPI rose 2.6% year-over-year, also below market expectations of 2.7%, and rose 0.2% month-over-month.

$1 below is data as of April 9, 2026===

The U.S. February PCE price index rose 2.8% year-over-year, the same as January, and met market expectations. On a month-over-month basis, it rose 0.4%, meeting expectations; the prior value was 0.3%. Core PCE price index rose 3% year-over-year during the period, also meeting expectations. The prior value was 3.1; on a month-over-month basis it rose 0.4%, meeting expectations.

U.S. February personal income fell 0.1% month-over-month, below expectations for a 0.3% increase. Personal spending rose 0.5% month-over-month during the period, slightly below expectations of 0.6%.

For the week ending April 4, 2026, initial unemployment claims were 219,000, higher than market expectations of 210,000. The prior figure was revised from 202,000 to 203,000. For the week ending March 28, 2026, continued unemployment claims were 1,794,000, down 42,000 week-over-week. The market had originally expected only a reduction of 3,000 to 1,829,000.

The second revision of U.S. Q4 GDP for last year was 0.5% quarter-over-quarter, again revised down from the earlier first revision of 0.7%.

$1 below is data as of April 8, 2026===

U.S. February durable goods orders were down 1.4% month-over-month in the initial reading, below the expected decline of 1.2%. The prior value was 0%.

$1 below is data as of April 3, 2026===

U.S. March non-farm payrolls added 178,000 new jobs｜Unemployment rate falls to 4.3%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that in March, non-farm payrolls added 178,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.3%.

Job gains and losses by industry:

• Health care: +76,000 (partly because some doctors returned to work after strikes)
• Construction: +26,000
• Transportation and warehousing: +21,000 (mainly from courier and messenger services)
• Social assistance: +14,000

Industries with job reductions:

• Federal government: continued shrinking, down 18,000. Since reaching a peak in October 2024, federal government employment has decreased by 355,000.
• Financial activities: down 15,000

Data revisions:

• January: revised up from +126,000 to +160,000
• February: revised down from -92,000 to -133,000

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$1 below is data as of April 1, 2026===

March ADP employment rose by 62,000, above expectations

So-called “small non-farm” U.S. March ADP employment rose by 62,000, above the expected 40,000. February’s figure was revised upward from 63,000 to 66,000.

$1 below is data as of March 31, 2026===

U.S. February JOLTS job openings fall to 6.882 million, below expectations｜March Conference Board consumer confidence rises to 91.8, above expectations

U.S. February JOLTS job openings fell from 7.24 million in January to 6.882 million, slightly below expectations of 6.89 million.

U.S. March MNI Chicago PMI fell from 57.7 in February to 52.8, far below expectations of 55. March Conference Board consumer confidence rose from 91 in February to the latest 91.8, far above expectations of 87.9.

U.S. January FHFA house price index increased 0.1% month-over-month, in line with expectations; the prior value was 0.3%.

$1 below is data as of March 19, 2026===

U.S. February PPI rose 3.4% year-over-year, above expectations of 2.9%. On a month-over-month basis, it rose 0.7%, also above the market expectation of 0.5%. February core PPI rose 3.9% year-over-year, above expectations of 3.7%. It rose 0.5% month-over-month, also above expectations of 0.3%.

$1 below is data as of March 13, 2026===

The U.S. announced that the revision to last year’s fourth-quarter GDP was 0.7%, below the estimated 1.4%. The government shutdown in October was a key factor dragging down GDP growth.

U.S. January PCE price index rose 2.8% year-over-year after slipping slightly from 2.9% in December last year, below market expectations of 2.9%. On a month-over-month basis, it rose 0.3%, meeting expectations. Core PCE price index rose 3.1% year-over-year after rising from 3.0% in December last year, meeting market expectations. On a month-over-month basis, it rose 0.4%, also meeting expectations.

U.S. January personal income rose 0.4% month-over-month, below expectations of 0.5%. Personal spending rose 0.4% month-over-month during the period, slightly above expectations of 0.3%.

U.S. March University of Michigan market sentiment preliminary was 55.5, above expectations of 55. The prior figure was 56.6. The 1-year inflation expectations preliminary was 3.6%, above expectations and the prior figure of 3.4%.

$1 below is data as of March 12, 2026===

For the week ending March 7, 2026, initial unemployment claims in the U.S. were 213,000, below market expectations of 215,000. The prior figure was revised from 213,000 to 214,000. For the week ending February 28, 2026, continued unemployment claims were 1,850,000, down 21,000 week-over-week, matching market expectations.

U.S. January housing starts rose 7.2% month-over-month to 1.487 million units, above market expectations of 1.34 million. During the period, building permits fell from 1.455 million units in December last year to 1.376 million, below the expected 1.42 million.

$1 below is data as of March 11, 2026===

U.S. February inflation data were fully in line with expectations. Overall CPI year-over-year growth was maintained at 2.4%. The month-over-month growth rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 0.3%. Core CPI year-over-year growth remained at 2.5%, but the month-over-month growth rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 0.2%.

$1 below is data as of March 6, 2026===

U.S. February non-farm jobs fall sharply by 92,000, far below expectations; unemployment rate rises to 4.4%

U.S. February non-farm employment decreased by 92,000, far below the expected increase of 55,000. January was revised down from 130,000 to 126,000. February unemployment rate was 4.4%, above expectations and January’s 4.3%. In addition, the total number of non-farm employees in the U.S. in December last year and January were revised down by 69,000.

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$1 below is data as of March 5, 2026===

U.S. firms lay off 48,307 in February, down 55% month-over-month｜Initial unemployment claims last week held at 213,000, below expectations

Data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas showed that the number of layoffs announced by U.S. companies in February this year fell 55% month-over-month to 48,307. On a year-over-year basis, it also decreased by 72%. The number of initial unemployment benefits last week was also far above market expectations.

The firm said that the number of layoffs in February was down, easing the elevated layoff plans since the start of the year. With the U.S. drawn into the Iran war, more layoff plans may appear by the end of the first quarter, because companies will “tighten their belts” amid uncertainty and rising costs.”

Layoffs in the technology sector were the highest among industries, totaling 11,000. In addition, the education sector also laid off 5,417 employees in February.

In addition, initial unemployment claims in the U.S. last week were 213,000, staying below expectations of 215,000; continuing claims for unemployment benefits were 1,868,000, higher than expectations of 1,845,000 and the prior value of 1,822,000.

$1 below is data as of March 4, 2026===

The U.S. released its so-called “small non-farm” February ADP data: employment increased by 63,000, above the expected 50,000. The January figure was revised down from 22,000 to 11,000.

$1 below is data as of February 25, 2026===

There are signs that U.S. inflation expectations are heating up. The latest January PPI rose 2.9% year-over-year, above expectations of 2.6%. Month-over-month, it rose 0.5%, also above the market expectation of 0.3%. Core PPI rose 3.6% year-over-year, above December last year’s 3.3% and above expectations of 3%.

$1 below is data as of February 24, 2026===

U.S. December FHFA house price index rises 0.1% month-over-month, below expectations

The U.S. December FHFA house price index rose 0.1% month-over-month, below expectations of 0.3%. The prior value was revised from 0.6% up to 0.7%. In addition, the U.S. December S&P/CS 20-city seasonally adjusted home price index rose 1.38% year-over-year, roughly in line with market expectations. The prior value was revised from 1.39% up to 1.42%. On a month-over-month basis, it rose 0.47%, above the expected 0.3%. The prior value was revised from 0.47% up to 0.53%.

$1 below is data as of February 20, 2026===

U.S. Q4 GDP forecast rises only 1.4%｜PCE price index rises 0.4% month-over-month, above expectations

The Fed’s inflation gauge, the PCE price index for December last year, was above market expectations. Overall PCE rose 0.4% month-over-month, above the expected 0.3%, and rose 2.9% year-over-year, higher than the expected 2.8%. Core PCE rose 0.4% month-over-month, also above the expected 0.3%, and rose 3% year-over-year, above expectations of 2.9%.

The U.S. Q4 GDP forecast value for last year was 1.4%, below market expectations of 2.8%. The main driver of Q4 GDP growth was an increase in consumer spending and investment. However, these gains were offset by decreases in government spending and exports.

$1 below is data as of February 19, 2026===

U.S. initial unemployment claims fall to 206,000, below expectations｜December trade deficit expands to $70.3 billion; full year is one of the largest deficits since 1960

For the week ending February 14, 2026, initial unemployment claims in the U.S. were 206,000, below the market expectation of 225,000. The prior figure was revised from 227,000 to 229,000. For the week ending February 7, 2026, continued unemployment claims in the U.S. were 1,869,000, up 17,000 week-over-week. The market expectation was 1,860,000.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that in December, the goods and services trade deficit expanded to $70.3 billion from the previous month. The full-year trade deficit totaled $901.5 billion, still one of the largest deficits on record since 1960. The U.S. had a trade deficit of $903.5 billion in 2024.

$1 below is data as of February 13, 2026===

U.S. January CPI rises 2.4% year-over-year, below expectations

The U.S. released its January CPI, with prices rising 2.4% year-over-year, below market expectations of 2.5%. On a month-over-month basis, prices rose 0.2%, also below market expectations of 0.3%. During the period, core CPI rose 2.5% year-over-year, in line with expectations. On a month-over-month basis, core CPI rose 0.3%, also in line with market expectations.

$1 below is data as of February 11, 2026===

U.S. January unemployment rate fell from 4.4% in December to 4.3%, below expectations of 4.4%. During the period, non-farm payrolls added 130,000 jobs, above expectations of 65,000, and the prior figure was revised up to 48,000.

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It is worth noting that the private sector added as many as 172,000 jobs. However, since the government sector reduced 42,000 positions, only 130,000 jobs were added overall.

A large-scale plan for federal civil servants to resign at the start of the second Trump term is aimed at allowing employees who do not want to continue working under the Trump administration, or who do not want to accept “return-to-office” requirements, or who are afraid of being forced to lay off in the future, to exit in a more gradual way. Over this 6 to 8 month period, they would still receive pay and benefits. The relevant list officially left the federal payroll roster in January.

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$1 below is data as of February 7, 2026===

U.S. December import price index rises 0.1% month-over-month, in line with expectations｜December export price index rises 0.3% month-over-month, above expectations

U.S. ADP reported that in the 1-week period ending January 24, companies added 6,500 jobs. U.S. December import price index rose 0.1% month-over-month, in line with expectations. Export price index rose 0.3% month-over-month during the period, above expectations of 0.1%.

U.S. November business inventories rose 0.1% month-over-month, below expectations of 0.3% and the prior value of 0.2%.

$1 below is data as of February 6, 2026===

The University of Michigan consumer sentiment preliminary reading for February rises to 57.3, above expectations; 1-year inflation expectations fall to 3.5%, the lowest in 13 months

The University of Michigan’s February consumer sentiment preliminary reading was 57.3, a six-month high, above expectations of 55, with the prior figure at 56.4. The 1-year inflation expectations preliminary reading was 3.5%, below expectations and the prior value of 4%, and also the lowest in 13 months. The 5-year inflation expectations preliminary reading was 3.4%, slightly above expectations and the prior value of 3.3%.

$1 below is data as of February 5, 2026===

U.S. firms lay off 108,000 people in January, jumping by more than 2 times month-over-month｜Initial unemployment claims last week rise to 231,000, above expectations

Data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas showed that the number of layoffs announced by U.S. companies in January this year surged more than 2 times month-over-month to 108,000. On a year-over-year basis, it also increased by nearly 1.2 times. Initial unemployment benefit claims last week were also far above market expectations.

The firm said that the number of layoffs in January was the highest for the same period since 2009. Andy Challenger, the firm’s chief revenue officer, said that large numbers of layoffs typically occur in the first quarter, but the sheer number in January suggests that relevant plans were already set out by the end of 2025, reflecting employers’ not-so-optimistic outlook for 2026.

Layoffs in the transportation and logistics sector were the highest among industries, reaching 31,000, mainly because after UPS (US: UPS) and Amazon (US: AMZN) ended their partnership, they announced layoffs of 30,000. In addition, the technology sector also cut more than 22,000 jobs in January, most of which came from Amazon, where the company had previously announced layoffs of 16,000 to restructure its management framework.

In addition, initial unemployment claims in the U.S. rose from 209,000 to 231,000 last week, above expectations of 212,000; continuing claims for unemployment benefits were 1,844,000, below expectations of 1,850,000 and the prior value of 1,827,000.

$1 below is data as of February 4, 2026===

December ADP adds 22,000, missing expectations｜U.S. mortgage loan applications fall 8.9%

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) said that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell from 6.24% to 6.21%. Mortgage loan applications fell 8.9% last week.

The U.S. released its December ADP data, so-called “small non-farm.” Employment increased by 22,000 during the period, below expectations of 45,000.

$1 below is data as of January 31, 2026===

January S&P Global U.S. manufacturing PMI final value rises to 52.4

January S&P Global U.S. manufacturing PMI final value was 52.4, above the preliminary 51.9. Meanwhile, the U.S. January ISM manufacturing index was 52.6, above expectations of 48.5, and the prior figure was 47.9. Among subcomponents, the sales prices index was 59. New orders rose sharply from the revised 47.4 to 57.1. Employment was 48.1, all higher than December last year’s data.

$1 below is data as of January 30, 2026===

U.S. December PPI rises 0.5% month-over-month, above expectations｜December core PPI rises 0.7% month-over-month

U.S. December PPI rose 0.5% month-over-month, above expectations of 0.2%. Core PPI rose 0.7% month-over-month, also above expectations of 0.2%. On a year-over-year basis, December PPI rose 3%, above expectations of 2.8%. Core PPI rose 3.3%, above expectations of 2.9%.

$1 below is data as of January 29, 2026===

Initial unemployment claims in the U.S. fall to 209,000 last week, below expectations｜U.S. November factory orders rise 2.7% month-over-month, beating expectations

U.S. initial unemployment claims fell from 210,000 last week to 209,000, below the expected 205,000. Continuing claims for unemployment benefits were 1,827,000, below expectations of 1,855,000 and the prior value of 1,865,000.

The U.S. November trade deficit widened from October’s $29.2 billion to $56.8 billion, far above expectations of $44.5 billion. U.S. November exports fell 3.6% month-over-month, with the decline larger than the expected 1.7%. The prior figure was revised up from a decrease to an increase of 3%.

U.S. November imports rose 5% month-over-month, far above expectations of 2.3%. U.S. November factory orders rose 2.7% month-over-month, exceeding expectations of 1.6%, after October was revised to a decline of 1.3%.

$1 below is data as of January 27, 2026===

U.S. consumer confidence is at more than 11-year lows

The U.S. Conference Board reported that its January consumer confidence index plunged from 94.2 to 84.5, below expectations of 91, reaching the lowest level in more than 11 years.

The FHFA house price index rose 0.6% in November, above the expected 0.3%; the prior value was 0.4%.

The S&P CS 20-city index rose 1.39% year-over-year, above the expected 1.2%; the prior value was 1.32%.

$1 below is data as of January 23, 2026===

U.S. January S&P manufacturing PMI rebounds to 51.9｜January University of Michigan consumer sentiment index revised up to 56.4; 1-year inflation forecast revised down to 4%

The U.S. January S&P manufacturing PMI was 51.9, slightly below market expectations of 52, and above December last year’s 51.8. The services PMI held at 52.5, while it was lower than expectations of 52.9.

The U.S. January University of Michigan consumer sentiment index—final value—was revised up from the preliminary 54 to 56.4. The 1-year inflation forecast—final value—was revised down from the preliminary 4.2% to 4%.

$1 below is data as of January 22, 2026===

PCE inflation meets expectations across the board; month-over-month is only 0.2%. Q3 GDP revision was raised to 4.4%｜Initial unemployment claims last week tick up to 200,000

The Fed’s inflation benchmark, the November PCE price index, met expectations in full. Overall PCE rose 0.2% month-over-month and 2.8% year-over-year. The core PCE price index rose 0.2% month-over-month and 2.8% year-over-year.

The U.S. Q3 GDP revision was raised from the original 4.3% to 4.4%.

In the U.S., initial jobless claims rose slightly from 199,000 in the prior week to 200,000, below the market expectation of 210,000. For continuing unemployment claims, the figure fell to 1,849,000, below the expected 1,895,000.

$1 below is data as of January 20, 2026===

ADP: The U.S. adds 80,000 jobs in one week

The U.S. ADP reported that for the 4-week period ending December 27, firms added an average of 8,000 jobs per week.

$1 below is data as of January 15, 2026===

U.S. initial unemployment claims fall back to 198,000 last week

U.S. initial unemployment claims fell from 207,000 to 198,000 last week, below expectations of 215,000. Continuing claims for unemployment benefits were 1,884,000, below expectations of 1,899,000 and the prior figure of 1,903,000.

The U.S. January New York Fed manufacturing index rose from -3.7 in December last year to 7.7, above the market expectation of 1.

$1 below is data as of January 14, 2026===

The U.S. reported that November PPI rose 3% year-over-year, above the market expectation of 2.7%. On a month-over-month basis it rose 0.2%, in line with expectations. Core CPI rose 3.5% year-over-year, also above the market expectation of 2.9%. Month-over-month, it was flat, which was below the market expectation of 0.2%.

U.S. November retail sales rose 0.6% month-over-month, above expectations of 0.5%.

$1 below is data as of January 13, 2026===

U.S. December core CPI rises 0.2% month-over-month, below expectations

The U.S. reported that December CPI rose 2.7% year-over-year, in line with market expectations, and rose 0.3% month-over-month, also in line with expectations. Core CPI rose 2.6% year-over-year, below expectations of 2.7%. On a month-over-month basis, it rose 0.2%, below expectations of 0.3%.

$1 below is data as of January 9, 2026===

U.S. December unemployment rate falls from 4.6% in October to 4.4%

U.S. December unemployment rate fell from 4.6% in October to 4.4%, below expectations of 4.5%. During the period, non-farm employment added 50,000 jobs, below expectations of 70,000. The prior figure was revised down to 56,000.

U.S. January University of Michigan consumer sentiment index rose from 52.9 in December last year to 54, above the market expectation of 53.5.

$1 below is data as of January 8, 2026===

U.S. initial unemployment claims rebound to 208,000 last week

U.S. initial unemployment claims rose from 200,000 to 208,000 last week, below expectations of 212,000. Continuing claims for unemployment benefits were 1,914,000, higher than expectations of 1.90 million and the prior value of 1,858,000.

The U.S. October trade deficit narrowed sharply to $29.4 billion, below the market’s expectation of $58.7 billion. The prior value was $48.1 billion.

Data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas showed that the number of layoffs announced by U.S. companies in December last year decreased 50% month-over-month to 35,000, and declined 8% year-over-year.

The firm said that total layoffs across the entire year reached 1.206 million, up 58% year-over-year, the highest since 2020. However, Andy Challenger, the firm’s chief revenue officer, said that the number of layoffs announced in December this year was the lowest for the year. Although December is usually a slow season, considering the increase in hiring plans, this reflects a positive signal after the layoff wave.

Layoffs in the government sector were the most among industries, reaching 308,000, surging by 7 times year-over-year. They were mainly concentrated in the federal government. However, the layoff wave was concentrated in the first quarter of this year; over the nine months from the second quarter to the fourth quarter, government layoffs were fewer than 29,000.

Among private companies, layoffs in the tech industry were the highest last year at 154,000 people, up 15% year-over-year. The firm said that over the past decade, excessive hiring—combined with other factors—and the pace of artificial intelligence (AI) transformation far outstripping other industries have led to a wave of job losses in the sector.

$1 below is data as of January 7, 2026===

The U.S. released its December ADP data, so-called “small non-farm.” Employment increased by 41,000 during the period, below expectations of 50,000. The November figure was revised from a decrease of 32,000 to 29,000.

$1 below is data as of January 5, 2026===

U.S. December ISM manufacturing index disappointed expectations

The U.S. December ISM manufacturing index was 47.9, below expectations of 48.4, with the prior value at 48.2. Among components, the new orders index was 47.7, the employment index was 44.9, and the prices index was 58.5.