U.S. companies announced about 950,000 layoffs in the first nine months of 2025, marking a sharp uptick in job cuts as businesses turn more cautious amid weaker demand, rising automation, and cost pressures. (Reuters)
Major global firms such as Amazon, UPS, Microsoft, and Intel led the trend, citing strategic restructuring, increased use of AI, and a need to reverse pandemic-era hiring. The job cuts span sectors including tech, retail, and government.
Analysts interpret this shift as an indicator that the U.S. labor market is entering a new phase: hiring has stalled and layoffs are rising, a pattern described as “no hire, more fire.” This change has drawn attention from the Federal Reserve, which may consider further interest-rate cuts to cushion economic risks.
Though the unemployment rate remains relatively stable, the underlying dynamic of labor-market weakening is raising concerns. If job cuts continue or accelerate, the broader economy could face slower growth and tighter credit conditions for workers.
