Layoffs in January were the highest to start a year since 2009, Challenger says
CNBC • • business
Key Points:
- U.S. employers announced 108,435 layoffs in January 2026, marking a 118% increase from the previous year and the highest January total since 2009, signaling growing pessimism about the economic outlook.
- Hiring intentions hit a low with only 5,306 new hires announced, the smallest January figure since tracking began in 2009, reflecting a cautious labor market environment.
- Significant layoffs were concentrated in transportation, led by UPS cutting over 30,000 jobs, and technology, with Amazon planning to shed 16,000 mostly corporate positions.
- Despite rising layoff plans, official government data on jobless claims showed only a temporary spike due to severe winter weather, with longer-term trends remaining relatively