"The figures will be closely watched on Wall Street and in Washington because they will be the first clean readings on the labor market in three months. The government didn't issue a report in October because of the six-week government shutdown, and November's data was distorted by the closure, which lasted until Nov. 12.Another wrinkle: The economy lost 105,000 jobs in October, mostly because federal government employment fell 162,000, reflecting a purge of federal workers earlier last year by Elon Musk's Department of Government"
"Still, sluggish hiring in December would underscore a key conundrum surrounding the economy as it enters 2026: Growth has picked up to healthy levels, yet hiring has weakened noticeably and the unemployment rate has increased in the last four jobs reports.Most economists expect hiring will accelerate this year as growth remains solid. Yet they acknowledge there are other possibilities: Weak job gains could drag down future growth."
Hiring likely remained subdued in December as many companies avoided expanding workforces, with economists forecasting around 55,000 jobs added. That would be below November's 64,000 and an improvement after the 105,000 job loss in October. The unemployment rate is expected to slip to 4.5% from 4.6% in November. October and November data were distorted by a six-week government shutdown that halted the October report and depressed federal employment. Economists expect hiring to accelerate if growth stays solid, but warn that weak job gains could slow future growth or that automation and artificial intelligence could reduce demand for new jobs.
Read at Fast Company
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