US job growth expected to slow as hiring caution persists
US job growth is expected to have cooled in December as businesses remain cautious over hiring, while unemployment may edge lower.
US job growth is expected to have slowed in December, as businesses remain cautious about taking on new staff amid uncertainty over import tariffs.
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Employers are thought to be holding back on hiring decisions, contributing to a more subdued pace of job creation compared with earlier in the year.
At the same time, economists are forecasting a slight easing in the unemployment rate to around 4.5%.
If confirmed, this could help support expectations around future interest rate decisions by the Federal Reserve.
Despite the slowdown, the labour market is not expected to weaken sharply.
Instead, analysts say it remains stuck in a so-called “no hire, no fire” mode, with companies choosing to retain existing staff while avoiding major expansion.