#economicdownturn

If you do the math, look at the earnings of recent quarters, then you realise it really is only a matter of time……..

So far in 2025, layoffs and discharges total 102,000 in Rhode Island, which is 36% higher than the same period in 2024.

https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-people-are-laid-off-each-month/state/rhode-island/

New unemployment claims in Washington ticked up last week, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Initial filings climbed to 6,643 for the week ending Feb. 7, compared with 6,294 the week before.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/unemployment-claims-in-washington-increased-last-week/ar-AA1WjUaV

Oregon's small business bankruptcies reached a 12-year high in 2025. Approximately 250 businesses filed for bankruptcy protection statewide. This surge reflects a national trend driven by higher interest rates and rising costs. Layoffs at large employers like Intel and Nike also affected the local economy. Smaller firms and nonprofits face financial stress, including unpaid invoices.

https://hoodline.com/2026/02/layoffs-pile-up-as-portland-biz-bankruptcies-soar-to-12-year-high/

Went as low as $0.90. This is bleak.

New Jersey experienced a significant increase in job cuts during January. Employers announced 1,980 layoffs, a 544 percent rise from January 2025. This surge mirrors national trends not seen since the Great Recession. Amazon accounted for 871 of New Jersey's January cuts. Experts indicate employers are less optimistic about the 2026 outlook.

https://patch.com/new-jersey/across-nj/job-cuts-spiking-nj-national-layoffs-mirror-great-recession-totals

Michigan's initial unemployment claims dropped last week. Filings fell to 8,535 in the week ending January 24. This was down from 16,776 the previous week. U.S. unemployment claims also saw a slight decrease. They dropped to 209,000 nationally.

https://www.aol.com/articles/unemployment-claims-michigan-declined-last-080100923.html

North Carolina saw an increase in initial unemployment claims last week. The U.S. Department of Labor reported this data. Claims rose to 3,404 for the week ending January 31. This was up from 3,294 claims the previous week. National unemployment claims also increased last week.

https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2026/02/07/unemployment-numbers/88527060007/

Louisiana saw a drop in initial jobless claims last week. The U.S. Department of Labor released this information. New claims totaled 1,107 for the week. This number was lower than 1,400 from the prior week. National unemployment claims increased to 231,000.

https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/2026/02/06/unemployment-numbers/88526921007/

Tough times are ahead because of H1Bs + AI + work going offshore.

So, sell your home(s), and stock(s) (if they are in profit) and keep cash to survive the tough time.

In January 2026, U.S. employers announced 108,435 job cuts, the highest total for the first month of the year since 2009. This surge represents a 118% increase compared to January 2025 and a 205% jump from December 2025.
Primary Drivers: Massive restructuring at UPS (30,000 cuts) and Amazon (16,000 corporate roles) accounted for nearly half of the month's total layoffs.
Sector Impact: The hardest-hit industries included Transportation (31,243), Technology (22,291), and Healthcare (17,107).
Hiring Stagnation: Parallel to the cuts, hiring plans dropped to just 5,306, the lowest January figure on record since tracking began in 2009.
Leading Causes: According to the Challenger Report, the top reasons cited were contract losses, economic conditions, and organizational restructuring. - All companies are on the same path.

• U.S. employers announced 108,435 layoffs for the month, up 118% from the same period a year ago and 205% from December 2025. The total marked the highest for any January since 2009.
• At the same time, companies announced just 5,306 new hires, also the lowest January since 2009, which is when Challenger, Gray & Christmas began tracking such data.
• Also, job openings fell sharply in December to 6.54 million, to their lowest since September 2020. Available jobs are down by more than 900,000 just since October.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/05/layoff-and-hiring-announcements-hit-their-worst-january-levels-since-2009-challenger-says.html

Initial unemployment benefit filings in South Carolina decreased last week. The U.S. Labor Department reported this data on Thursday. New jobless claims in the state fell to 1,970. This was down from 4,170 claims the previous week.

https://www.blufftontoday.com/story/news/2026/01/31/unemployment-numbers/88413633007/

The latest round of layoffs across tech firms in the Bay Area and beyond has reignited talk about a possible “jobs recession” in the tech world. Seeing so many companies cut staff in such a short period of time has shaken confidence, especially for workers who once saw tech as one of the safest and fastest-growing career paths.

https://www.kron4.com/news/technology-ai/latest-round-of-tech-layoffs-reignite-talk-of-jobs-recession-in-industry/

Marblehead anticipates an $8.4 million budget shortfall. Town Administrator Kezer expects over 50 town employee layoffs. Service reductions and delayed capital improvements are also likely. Kezer likened the financial situation to the 2008 recession. An override vote is being considered to address the funding gap.

https://patch.com/massachusetts/marblehead/its-drastic-marblehead-faces-override-debate-8-4m-deficit-50-projected-town

The Seattle area recently shed jobs. This marks the first job loss since the pandemic began. The region had previously added fewer than 15,000 jobs in 2024. Further details are behind a paywall. The Puget Sound Business Journal reported this development.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/02/03/area-loses-jobs-tech-industry-construction.html

Forbes:

•   About 44% of employers plan to give uniform, across-the-board pay raises in 2026 instead of merit-based increases, a practice often called peanut butter raises, according to a Payscale report.
•   Average pay increase budgets are holding steady at about 3.5%, but nearly a third of companies plan to reduce raise budgets due to economic uncertainty and cost control concerns.
•   Employers cite criticism of merit-based pay as too subjective and biased, and say flat raises are simpler to administer and can better support low-wage workers facing inflation.
•   Economic conditions are a key driver: slower hiring, ongoing layoffs, and fears of recession have overtaken labor competition as the main factor shaping compensation decisions.
•   While many companies spread limited raises evenly, some still heavily reward top performers, such as Walmart boosting pay for top store managers to strengthen performance and culture.

Initial unemployment filings in Indiana decreased last week. The U.S. Department of Labor reported this data. New jobless claims fell to 3,203 in the week ending January 24. This was down from 3,789 claims the prior week. Nationally, U.S. unemployment claims also dropped to 209,000.

https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/2026/02/01/unemployment-numbers/88413431007/

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Oklahoma rose last week. The U.S. Department of Labor reported this increase. New jobless claims reached 2,382 for the week ending January 24. This was an increase from 1,564 claims the prior week. Nationally, U.S. unemployment claims decreased to 209,000.

https://www.examiner-enterprise.com/story/news/2026/02/01/unemployment-numbers/88413598007/

Volkswagen is pausing plans for a new U.S. manufacturing plant. The company cites financial uncertainty from U.S. trade policies. This includes a debated Audi factory project since 2018. VW experienced a 15% operating profit drop in 2024. Volkswagen also plans to eliminate 35,000 future jobs in Germany.

https://www.slashgear.com/2087524/volkswagen-us-audi-factory-plan-paused/

Initial unemployment benefit filings in Ohio decreased last week. The U.S. Department of Labor reported this decline on Thursday. New jobless claims in Ohio fell to 6,773 for the week ending January 24. This was down from 6,847 claims the previous week. Nationally, U.S. unemployment claims also dropped to 209,000.

https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/2026/01/31/unemployment-numbers/88413597007/

Every time I bring up the topic of a raise with my boss, it gets dismissed. Meanwhile, the cost of living continues to INFLATE, and I’m struggling to make ends meet at home. I’ve been actively searching for other jobs. Applying to jobs every single day but all I’ve received so far are rejections.

Is it ever going to improve? I am especially afraid of being laid off because of how bad things are. I am relatively new to the workforce, so for those with more experience, has there been another period like this before? And how long did it take to turn around?

Another. New. Low.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WQBc8yxjdSs

Connecticut’s unemployment rate increased to 4.2% in December. This represents a 0.2% rise from the previous month. Payroll jobs also declined by an estimated 500 in December. The state's labor force dropped by 20,000 workers over six months. Republican lawmakers criticized the state's economic growth and affordability.

https://www.courant.com/2026/01/26/connecticuts-unemployment-rate-rises-hundreds-lost-jobs-in-december/

https://investors.xerox.com/news-releases/news-release-details/xerox-releases-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-results-2

FCF of $133 mil for FY 25, and operating margin is 3.5% down 140 BP YOY.

TL;DR: Gross sales are up, but they are running out of money.

Layoffs are anticipated in the Bay Area. Recent economic data appears discouraging. This situation suggests a challenging period. Businesses may soon consider workforce reductions. The overall economic outlook remains uncertain.

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/video/news/local/layoffs-loom-discouraging-economic-data/4021928/

Bay Area, California

Is it expected for the stock price to continue to drop as more and more Medicaid membership is lost due to deportations and enhanced scrutiny for fraud?

It's going to get worse in 2026 with UHC leading the way. Expect more outsourcing and RIFs

https://www.crn.com/news/ai/2026/ibm-q4-earnings-preview-5-things-to-know

The number of workers in Wisconsin fell by nearly 67,000. Wisconsin's unemployment rate held at 3.1% for December. This workforce reduction significantly impacts the state's economy. Demographic shifts, like aging baby boomers, contribute to the reduction. The state's participation rate for its workforce reached 64.2%.

https://www.aol.com/news/wisconsin-unemployment-remains-steady-number-193800515.html

Just saying...

• Report Shows Rising Employee Layoff Fears

A new INTOO/Harris Poll report reveals increased layoff anxiety among US employees. Over 61% of workers are concerned about job loss, a nearly 30% rise since 2019. Economic uncertainty, automation, and leadership skepticism fuel these growing fears. Many employees believe most recent layoffs could have been avoided with better management. INTOO suggests employers need greater transparency and support to address this anxiety.

https://www.knoxnews.com/press-release/story/134260/new-intoo-harris-poll-report-finds-nearly-30-increase-in-u-s-employees-experiencing-layoff-anxiety-compared-to-2019/

Also... Increases DLC Price...

Mighty Coconut, the studio behind Walkabout Mini Golf, confirmed recent layoffs. Approximately eight positions were eliminated, affecting about 25% of its workforce. The studio cited economic pressures within the VR industry for these changes. New VR DLC courses will now be priced at $4.99, an increase from previous offerings. Development for the Walkabout Mini Golf Pocket Edition on iPhones is also paused.

https://www.uploadvr.com/walkabout-mini-golf-layoffs/

Any explanations on why the Stocks are going down ?

Sorry to say, well drilling gas virtually stopped and jobs are gone. We are in a recession! Cheap Gas isn’t good for oil companies

Expect a lot more layoffs soon. Hearing tons on the street. It will recover in time like it always does, but prepare for some rough years ahead

Investors.xerox.com/node/30941/html

Money is getting tight

The job cuts stand out as one of the biggest employment setbacks the city has faced in recent years and come during a challenging economic moment for many residents. As housing, food, and health care costs keep rising, many households were already struggling before the layoffs were announced.

https://www.amarillo.com/story/news/2026/01/20/candidates-warn-tyson-layoffs-will-strain-workers-local-economy/88265084007/

First quarter of 2026

TIAA does this: Quiet cutting is an employer strategy to reduce headcount indirectly by reassigning employees to less desirable, lower-paying, or less critical roles, hoping they quit voluntarily rather than facing direct layoffs, often disguised as "reorganization" or "redeployment" amidst economic uncertainty. It's a response to rising labor costs, creating an alternative to traditional firing. A--holes.

There are hardly any jobs in the job market. Good luck finding a remote role in this economy when you’re competing with thousands of h1b's and h4 ead's.