#economy

Back in January, I told myself I'd be out of Verizon by the following year, and I really thought that was realistic. Instead, it's nearly 2026, I've been applying nonstop, and the only real movement I got was almost being pushed out instead of leaving on my own terms. The job market's been rough for a long time, way longer than most people acknowledge.

Economists are still waiting on fresh federal job stats, but other indicators are already pointing to the possibility of a recession in New Jersey next year.

https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/could-layoffs-in-nj-preview-a-recession-in-2026/

Layoffs Tick Up Slightly as Job Market Remains Steady Through October

The U.S. labor market demonstrated resilience through the fall, despite a marginal increase in job separations, according to the Labor Department’s latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The report, released Tuesday, indicates that the layoff rate rose to 1.2% in October. This represents a slight uptick from the 1.1% rate recorded in both August and September, suggesting a modest shift in workforce reduction activity as the year progressed.

Despite the small increase in layoffs, the broader employment landscape appears fundamentally stable. The data shows that the hiring rate held firm at 3.2% in October, unchanged from previous months. This consistency in recruitment suggests that while some employers were shedding staff, the overall demand for labor had not significantly deteriorated, maintaining a steady equilibrium in the market since the summer.

The release of these figures fills a gap in economic data caused by the government shutdown that began in early October. The budget impasse forced a postponement of federal statistical reports, delaying insights into the late summer and early autumn economy. With the backlog now clearing, the October figures provide a belated but necessary view of the labor market's trajectory leading into the winter.

Layoffs happening around the organization. Merry Christmas, you are out of a job in the worst economy, but our CEOs bonuses are going to be ah-mazing.

South Dakota’s labor market continues to show strong job availability and low unemployment.

Proposed (new) U.S. retirement plan.

Wall Street will love this.

Sometimes, a stock market crash can take a full decade to recover from; it (has been proven throughout U.S. economic-financial history).

*** Example - The "Lost Decade" from 2000-2009 whereby the S&P 500 had a Negative average return (-0.95%).

Australia is a much smaller country.

Australia also operates differently than the U.S. without having $38.4 Trillion in U.S. National debt (add $3.74 Trillion from the Trump Tax bill) with $969.0 Billion a year in Interest being paid (almost a Trillion a year) by the U.S. taxpayer to outside Investors (U.S. based, Japan; China: etc.) who finance it, per usdebtclock.

On a side note -

ACA Healthcare subsidies are set to expire with 24 Million U.S. citizens having 100% increased healthcare premiums (on average) or (no) healthcare (at all), with (no) replacement in sight from the Trump administration.

ACA enrollees include small business owners (and their employees), lower income-poor; etc.

This will (also) weigh on the U.S. economy, with Trump tariffs potentially leading to a Major recession in 2026.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4 percent in October. The October rate was up three-tenths of a percentage point from the September rate of 3.1 percent.

https://dlt.ri.gov/press-releases/rhode-island-based-jobs-fell-1200-september-october-unemployment-rate-increases-34

I contacted his office about the Comcast layoffs. They say they are working diligently to get the economy back on track and welcome feedback on ways to improve. They also recommend discussing with state and local officials.

It doesnt hurt to reach out .. takes 30 seconds on his website

Everything down..... Wtg btc

Justice is coming back to US workers. But the dam age maybe too bad to recover from unless they start reversing statuses.

https://www.newsweek.com/h-1b-visa-update-department-labor-americans-11104262

https://www.newsweek.com/h-1b-visa-update-department-labor-americans-11104262

ADP data shows private companies cut an average of 13,500 jobs per week in the four weeks ending November 8, signaling faster layoffs.

The latest ADP Pulse contrasts with October, when private firms added 42,000 jobs.

U.S. companies eliminated more than 150,000 jobs in October, the highest October total since 2003.

Economists are relying more on ADP reports because federal labor data has been delayed by the recent 43 day government shutdown.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics will fold some missing October data into the November report and will not release an October unemployment rate.

New Orleans mayor-elect Helena Moreno warned there will be cuts and layoffs from city government as it battles a projected $222 million budget deficit in 2026.

Moreno posted a video discussing the deficit Sunday (Nov. 23). She vowed to prioritize essential services -- especially public safety -- before the Dec. 1 budget deadline.

https://www.fox8live.com/2025/11/25/new-orleans-mayor-elect-helena-moreno-warns-222-million-deficit-2026/

U.S. companies cut more than 150,000 jobs in October, the highest number of layoffs for that month since 2003.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/11/25/ADP-jobs-economyq/2961764076980/

An inbred, crooked, hillbilly run monopoly that was never equipped to compete in the modern telecommunications economy. Big Ed, with his ginormous golden parachute passing the baton to his simpleton son in law, Randall, who effs it all up and passes the baton to an incompetent flunky named Stankey. Who in their right mind would think that what was AT&T could possibly succeed?

Getting laid off from WF is BAD for local businesses. Neighborhood liq-or store doesn't sell as much booze .... folks leaving WF=less drinking.
Then there is the late-night munchies sessions that are cancelled. Less groceries being bought by the now-not-drinking WF employees.
Local GYM is empty and losing $$. Since no drinking, no late night snacking, no exercise is now needed.
Don't even get me started on the local pharmacy sales being down.....ex WF employees have no more depression, no more high blood pressure, frankly.....no more problems.
So, in a nutshell - getting laid off by WF is just plain bad for business....period.

The Fed, AI; and the (Real) U.S. economy -

In this U.S. economy.

A spending spree (most likely) will (not) happen.

Lowering Interest rates in a Major Recession (type) of environment for now, but reality mid-2026; which I still project (if current trends continue).

In fact, it takes Fixed Income Interest gains (out) of the U.S. economy.

Won't matter, the Unemployment rate will continue to rise into 2026.

Several factors have (and are) contributing, Trump tariffs; AI, pandemic overstaffing; and High Inflation for the U.S. consumer.

There are positives to AI, but the Negatives are -

Replacement of entry-level white-collar jobs (taking away opportunities) less employees means less Tax revenue paid, and Increasing utility prices (electricity) due to Increased strain on the power grid by AI data centers.

The U.S. National debt (currently) stands at $38.2 Trillion (exponentially rising over time) with Interest paid of $969.0 Billion a year (almost a Trillion a year) by U.S. Taxpayers (not AI) to outside Investors (U.S. based, Japan, China; etc.) who finance it over time.

These are the facts.

Even the wealthy 1% are not spending at Neiman Marcus, they are getting sticker shock as well. Look at the prices compared to just 5 years ago, it’s two and three times what they use to be. $6,000 for a Prada bag that was $3,200 in 2020….come on’.

60 for 6, right? Well, we don’t get that any more. 59 for 6 from now on? Or maybe 50, 40, perhaps, 30? ;)

Technology Sector layoffs -

Here are the (current) numbers, year-to-date; which includes Verizon laying off; 15,000 employees next week.

2025 - Total (thus far).

644 Layoffs - 201,675 employees affected (624 people per day).

2024 - Total (for comparisons).

1,115 Layoffs - 239,101 employees affected (655 people per day).

The stock market, and the U.S. economy are (2) different things (ultimately) the stock market will catch-up.

I still project a Major Recession enroute for the U.S. economy by mid-2026 (should current trends continue).

These are the facts.

what is happening with the AI factories folks? Is the AI bubble unravelling or it is only Dell which is suffering? Thankfully I am away from the AI bubble which soon I expect to turn into doom and gloom. Time to park all your AI investments (incl. NVIDIA) into money market. Sell everything!

So much for jobs coming back to the US. Mid and entry level jobs are disappearing by the tens of thousands and the trend is accelerating thanks to enhanced AI and its adoption across the jobs universe. Finance, law, entertainment are all in its crosshairs and the only people benefitting are those who can afford to play in the stock market. It’s time to rethink what’s happening around us.

https://www.reddit.com/r/economy/comments/1oxfmpa/900000_white_americans_have_lost_their_jobs_since/?rdt=45344

I’m thinking at least a year in this economy.

My last day January 30, 2026. There were 142 associates on the call. Associates from Virginia, Georgia, California, Missouri. God help us all with the economy.

Ingraham on Fox: “Does that mean the H1-B visa thing will be deprioritized for the administration”

Trump: “We you have to have Talent”

Ingraham on Fox: “Sir, we have plenty of Talent here in America”

Trump: “No, you don’t, no you don’t, no you don’t”

Ingraham on Fox: “We’ll how did we do it before - for the entire history of our nation?”

(300,000 more jobs are expected to be lost before end of year, brining the total loss to 1,500,000 net jobs loss in 2025).

We are now in the era of the Haves and Have Nots.

Nothing more to add here.

Looks like we are joining the list.
Not sure how big the number will be but this looks bad:

1. UPS: 48,000 employees
2. Amazon: 30,000 employees
3. Intel: 24,000 employees
4. Nestle: 16,000 employees
5. Accenture: 11,000 employees
6. Ford: 11,000 employees
7. Novo Nordisk: 9,000 employees
8. Microsoft: 7,000 employees
9. PwC: 5,600 employees
10. Salesforce: 4,000 employees
11. Paramount: 2,000 employees
12. Target: 1,800 employees
13. A. Materials: 1,444 employees
14. Kroger: 1,000 employees
15. Meta: 600 employeesRetry

In regards -

To the Labor market.

This is where Treasury (Bessent) and the Fed would be (Totally Wrong).

No amount of Fed cuts will keep the Unemployment rate from rising further.

This is due to (2) things -

AI promoting gains in productivity, and efficiency; reducing the need for employees over time (mainly in computer-driven jobs, including manufacturing (AI robots) in the future; this is where the Trump thesis is (Totally Wrong) in regards to bringing back manufacturing to the U.S. (employee-wise).

Risks to (rising) Inflation (to the Real consumer-driven (68% of GDP economy) over time increasing Stagflation - High Inflation - Low Growth.

The (Major Downside to AI) while it may lead to increased GDP growth.

AI does (not) pay Tax revenues (replacing Employees that (actually) do).

As the U.S. National debt (exponentially) keeps rising, now past $38.2 Trillion with Interest paid to outside Investors (U.S. based, Japan; China; etc.) of $969.0 Billion a year (almost a Trillion) by U.S. taxpayers; it becomes a (Much bigger) problem weighing on the Real consumer-driven (68% of GDP) U.S. economy (where there are (currently (7) debt Bubbles) at (record) levels.

The (7) Debt Bubbles (at record levels) are Household Debt, Housing, Credit Card, Automotive, Student Loan, and Stock purchase financing.

(All) of these (7) Debt Bubbles are in the Trillions and keep rising, with (Defaults) are an ever-growing problem over time.

Job cuts in October hit 153,074 - up 183% from September and 175% from last year. Highest October since 2003.

Tech sector cut 33,281 jobs, nearly 6 times September's number, due to AI changes.

Total for 2025: 1.1 million cuts, up 65% from 2024. Worst year since 2009.

People losing jobs are struggling to find new ones quickly.

Source: CNBC

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/job-cuts-in-october-hit-highest-level-for-the-month-in-22-years-challenger-says.html

Job cuts for October totaled 153,074, a 183% surge from September and 175% higher than the same month a year ago. It was the highest level for any October since 2003 and has been the worst year for layoffs since 2009.

Companies in the technology sector announced 33,281 cuts, nearly six times the level in September.

should we not expect could cost to come down drastically, thank to AI - Why it is goin up instead- profiteering ?

https://archive.ph/Fj2c0

We are going to charge 25 cents up to 99 cents the next few years to bring up our revenues if the economy wind tail doesn’t meet the wind head anytime soon. Start updating your skills on banana and coffee too just in case.

M&M sell vehicles at less than half the current prices - thank to AI tools... The buyers --- robots working in factories.... they will buy and drive.............

Joke ?

No income no buyer, no jobs ,,,, no market for the cars

one year of great profits and after that global recession..

AI does (not) -

Pay Tax revenues.

On the (exponentially rising) U.S. National debt of $38.0 Trillion whereby U.S. taxpayers pay approximately ($969.3 Billion in Interest a year) to outside Investors (almost a Trillion a year) that are both U.S. based, and foreign like Japan; and China; for example.

AI won't replace (anything) that is (not) computer driven.

CEO Elon Musk recently made a (Very incompetant) statement that it would replace (all) jobs.

It won't, but it will replace a lot of entry-level white collar jobs; and a lot of manufacturing; though.

Shouldn't job preference be given to American workers first? The economy is struggling, and many young people can't find decent jobs. Yet, this administration is not enforcing any rule in the labor or immigration process to ensure that companies interview American workers before hiring others.

This is just to put it in the perspective.
We are a rounding error in this economy.

The collapse of Fiserv should be a warning sign for every US citizen. The executive branch of the US Government is operating in the same way as Fiserv...even some of the same players are involved. The outcome will be the same. Find a safe haven for your assets and buckle in because this will be a wild ride!

Heard some people here might’ve been let go a couple days ago, it’s hard not to worry. Feels like the writing’s on the wall. People are spending less, things are slowing down. I just hope this isn’t the start of something bigger.