Hiring likely remained subdued last month as many companies have sought to avoid expanding their workforces, though the job gains may be enough to bring down the unemployment rate.December's jobs report, to be released Friday, is likely to show that employers added a modest 55,000 jobs, economists forecast. That figure would be below November's 64,000 but an improvement after the economy lost jobs in October. Yet they acknowledge there are other possibilities: Weak job gains could drag down future growth. The benchmark revisions next month will likely reduce that figure even further.With hiring so weak, the Federal Reserve cut its key short-term interest rate three times late last year, in an effort to boost borrowing, spending, and hiring. If growth does accelerate, it's possible hiring may as well.

Source: Economic Times January 09, 2026 16:32 UTC