"The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced this morning that nonfarm payrolls rose a seasonally adjusted 50,000 in December. This was less than the 56,000 jobs gained in November, and less than the 73,000 jobs economists had predicted, indicating a weakening economy - that just might be ripe for more interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Investors seem happy to hear the bad news, and the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF ( NYSEMKT: VOO) gained 0.3% in early morning trading."
"The Court is considering a case challenging President Trump's power to unilaterally impose trade tariffs on foreign countries based on supposed threats to national security (the International Emergency Economic Powers Act). U.S. Treasury Department data shows that the country collected $195 billion in tariffs under this Act in 2025, and $62 billion more already in 2026. If the Court rules against the President, then this money may need to be repaid (but to whom?) A decision may come as early as today."
The U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by a seasonally adjusted 50,000 in December, below November's 56,000 and economists' 73,000 forecast, signaling weakening labor-market momentum. Unemployment decreased to 4.4%, outperforming the 4.5% expectation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics revised October job losses from 105,000 to 173,000, and reported an average monthly jobs gain of 49,000 for 2025. Equity investors reacted positively, with the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF ( NYSEMKT: VOO) rising 0.3% early. Separately, the U.S. Supreme Court is weighing a challenge to presidential tariff authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act after large tariff collections in 2025–2026.
Read at 24/7 Wall St.
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