labor market

Wealthy people have been driving an increasing share of consumer spending over the last year. That’s largely because asset values have been increasing, encouraging wealthy people to keep spending money.

Here’s how small businesses are looking at the two prongs of the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate — keeping prices stable and employment steady — after news of the DOJ probe.

The percentage of Americans out of work for 27 weeks or longer hit 26% in December. It's more evidence of a low-hire, low-fire economy — and that AI is starting to replace certain jobs.

Employers announced 8% fewer layoffs in December than a year earlier.

The Labor Department’s shutdown-delayed report shows third quarter productivity grew at the fastest pace in two years — a 4.9% annualized gain.

Economists and analysts are looking to new data from late 2025 to help them understand where the economy might be headed in 2026.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 16,000, to 199,000, well below what economists were expecting. It’s the second-lowest reading in the last two years.

Consumers started 2025 feeling optimistic, but have ended on a low note.

With the unemployment rate now at 4.6%, economists are predicting more of the same, at least for the first half of next year.

But health care hiring’s good run may be coming to a close.