Jin Shi Shu Ju·2026-02-05 14:24Group 1 - The number of planned layoffs by U.S. employers in January surged to the highest level for this time of year since the global financial crisis, with 108,435 layoffs announced, marking a 118% increase year-over-year and a 205% increase compared to December 2025 [1] - New hiring plans in January were only 5,306, the lowest figure recorded for January since 2009, indicating a significant decline in recruitment intentions [1] - The data suggests that the labor market may be deteriorating, contradicting previous assumptions of a "no hiring, no layoffs" stagnation [1] Group 2 - Despite the increase in layoffs, this trend has not yet fully reflected in official government data, with initial jobless claims reaching 231,000, the highest since early December, potentially influenced by severe winter storms [2] - Major companies like Amazon, UPS, and Dow Inc. have announced significant layoffs, with the transportation sector experiencing the most layoffs, primarily due to UPS's plan to cut over 30,000 jobs [2] - The recruitment numbers in January fell by 13% compared to January 2025 and plummeted by 49% compared to December 2025, indicating a weak hiring environment [3]