Core Insights - The U.S. job market is expected to show an addition of 55,000 jobs in January, an increase from 50,000 in December, with a focus on health care employment [1][9] - The unemployment rate is projected to remain steady at 4.4%, which is considered low historically [2][9] Job Market Dynamics - Job gains are anticipated to be primarily in the health care sector, while opportunities in other fields are becoming scarcer due to a prevailing no-hiring mindset among employers [2] - The Federal Reserve is increasingly concerned about a potential rise in unemployment, as job openings in December were at their lowest since 2020, indicating a possible slowdown in job growth [3] Economic Implications - The upcoming report is crucial for assessing whether the job market is deteriorating and if a recent hiring slowdown is leading to significant job losses [4] - A revision of past job data is expected to reveal nearly a million fewer jobs added between March 2024 and March 2025 than previously reported, indicating a grim outlook for the job market [5][6] External Influences - Recent government policies, including tariffs and immigration restrictions, have contributed to uncertainty in the job market, affecting hiring and expansion plans [8][9] - The increasing use of AI technology is also leading some companies to reduce their workforce, further complicating the employment landscape [8]

Feb 9 (Reuters) - Americans grew less worried about the near-term path of inflation and hiring in January, a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said on Monday. As ​part of its latest Survey of Consumer Expectations, the bank said that inflation expectations one year ‌from now stood at 3.1% in January compared with 3.4% in December, while at the three- and five-year-ahead horizons, expectations held steady ‌at 3%. On the hiring front, some of the sour mood over labor market prospects abate ...

The latest consumer confidence data points to a public that is cautiously recalibrating expectations for 2026, encouraged by cooling inflation yet unsettled by a volatile labor market.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additiona ...

Consumer sentiment ticked up to 57.3 in February, according to a preliminary reading from the University of Michigan's monthly survey, a positive signal that Americans' economic mood is improving despite longstanding anxieties about inflation and the job market. ...

U.S. government debt was getting a bid on apparent safe-haven demand Thursday, driven by fresh concerns about the labor market. ...

A 'help wanted' sign is displayed in a business's window in Manhattan on January 09, 2026, in New York City.The U.S. labor market barely budged in January, with hiring below even muted expectations, according to a report Wednesday from payrolls processing firm ADP.Private companies added just 22,000 positions for the month and the number would have been negative had it not been for a surge of 74,000 hires in the education and health services category. The total was less than the downwardly revised 37,000 in ...

For the Class of 2026, a stable but selective job market means employers are hiring carefully and expecting new graduates to add value quickly The job market awaiting the Class of 2026 isn’t collapsing, but it isn’t exactly roaring back either. According to Universum’s 2026 Talent Outlook report released last week, 16% of global companies expect to reduce staffing levels in the first quarter while 16% expect to hire more. Another 40% expect to keep about the same level of workers and 4% are unsure. “It ...

Core Viewpoint - The nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chair could lead to a more cautious approach to interest rate cuts compared to other candidates [1][9]. Group 1: Nomination and Background - President Donald Trump announced Kevin Warsh as his nominee for the Federal Reserve Chair, set to take over in May when Jerome Powell's term ends [1][2]. - Warsh served as a Fed governor from 2006 to 2011 and was selected over other finalists, including Trump Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett and BlackRock Executive Rick Rieder [2]. Group 2: Monetary Policy Implications - Warsh's selection may significantly influence the Federal Reserve's monetary policy and the fed funds rate, affecting borrowing costs across various loans [3]. - While Warsh has advocated for lower interest rates, he may not be as "dovish" as other candidates, indicating a more measured approach to rate cuts [4][9]. Group 3: Economic Context - The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is currently divided on whether to cut rates to support a slowing job market or maintain higher rates to combat inflation above the 2% target [6]. - The new Fed Chair will inherit the challenge of balancing these conflicting economic pressures, as the job market has slowed while inflation remains high [7]. Group 4: Political Dynamics - Warsh's ability to implement rate cuts may be constrained by political pressures, including Trump's demands for significant cuts and ongoing investigations into committee members [8][10]. - There are concerns that if the Fed is pressured to cut rates sharply, it could undermine public confidence in its ability to control inflation, potentially leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy [10][11].

Federal Reserve governor Chris Waller, who was one of President Donald Trump's finalists as the next central-bank chief, said Friday that the Fed should have cut interest rates this week because of a poor U.S. job market. ...

Inflation is elevated but steady and the job market is holding up, leading economists to predict that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates at current levels. ...