A 'jobless boom' is shaping up to be the story of the 2026 economy

Economic Overview - The US economy is experiencing strong growth, but this has not translated into job creation, leading to a phenomenon described as a "jobless boom" [1][6] - Investment in artificial intelligence (AI) has been a significant driver of economic growth, particularly among larger companies that have also implemented white-collar job cuts [2][6] Job Market Dynamics - Companies are optimizing operations by doing more with fewer workers, often using attrition or layoffs to align staffing levels with demand [3] - Despite an increase in overall layoffs, the job market remains relatively stable, with corporate giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Tesla making significant cuts [3][4] Consumer Spending Trends - Consumer spending has remained robust, particularly in healthcare and medical services, despite a lack of income growth and ongoing inflation concerns [5] - The current year marks the highest spending on healthcare services since 2022, driven by rising costs in hospital and nursing services [5]