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U.S. Layoff Announcements Jump to 153,074 in October, Highest for the Month Since 2003

With official jobs data on hold during the shutdown, private reports signal a cooling labor market.

Overview

  • Employers have announced 1,099,500 job cuts so far in 2025, up 65% from the same period last year and already 44% above all of 2024.
  • Cost-cutting was the top reason for October reductions with 50,437 cuts, while AI-driven restructuring was second with 31,039 in the month and 48,414 year to date.
  • Warehousing led October losses with 47,878 announced cuts, followed by technology with 33,281 as companies recalibrate after pandemic-era expansion.
  • Hiring plans are the weakest since 2011, and announced seasonal hiring through October is the lowest since tracking began in 2012.
  • Economists note a disconnect between rising corporate profits and mounting layoffs, with the Fed watching cut announcements as ADP shows modest private payroll growth.