January layoffs jump to the highest level since 2009, says Challenger

Core Insights - US layoffs reached a 17-year high in January, with 108,435 job cuts announced, marking a 118% increase from the previous year [1][2] Group 1: Job Cuts Data - The total number of job cuts in January is significantly high, indicating a concerning trend for the labor market [2] - Major companies like Amazon and Citi are among those reducing their workforce this year [1] Group 2: Employer Sentiment - The high number of layoffs suggests that many of these plans were established at the end of 2025, reflecting a pessimistic outlook for 2026 among employers [2]