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January Jobs Report: A Strong Rebound After A Soft 2025 Labor Market

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U.S. non-farm payrolls surged by 130,000 in January 2026, exceeding economist forecasts and reversing December’s sluggish growth, signaling unexpected labor market resilience amid broader economic concerns. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%, its lowest since mid-2025, despite downward revisions to prior-year data, suggesting stabilization after a volatile 2025 job market. Healthcare and social assistance dominated hiring, adding 137,000 jobs—the sector’s largest monthly gain since mid-2020—highlighting persistent demand for medical and elder-care services. Analysts note the report counters fears of economic slowdown, though wage growth data remains unresolved, leaving questions about inflationary pressures and Federal Reserve policy responses. Revisions to 2025 payrolls revealed weaker prior growth, but January’s rebound may ease recession worries, offering cautious optimism for investors and policymakers monitoring labor trends.
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Principal Financial Group1.22K FollowersFollow5ShareSavePlay(5min)CommentsSummaryNon-farm payrolls rose 130,000 in January, beating expectations and marking a sharp acceleration from December.The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.3%, revealing labor market stabilization despite significant downward revisions to 2025 payrolls.Payroll gains were led once again by healthcare & social assistance, which added 137,000 jobs, the largest monthly increase since mid-2020. mohd izzuan/iStock via Getty Images By Seema Shah, Chief Global Strategist and Magdalena Ocampo, Market Strategist The January employment report delivered a stronger-than-expected gain in payrolls, challenging concerns that the economy is losing momentum. Non-farm payrolls rose 130,000 in January, beating expectationsThis article was written byPrincipal Financial Group1.22K FollowersFollowThe Principal Financial Group (The Principal®) is a global investment management leader offering retirement services, insurance solutions and asset management. The Principal offers businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement, asset management and insurance through its diverse family of financial services companies. Founded in 1879 and a member of the FORTUNE 500®, the Principal Financial Group has $519.3 billion in assets under management1 and serves some 19.7 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States.

Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com. Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Co. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Princor Financial Services Corp., 800/247-1737, Member SIPC and/or independent broker/dealers. Principal National, Principal Life, Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. and Princor® are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392. Investing involves market risk, including possible loss of principal.

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