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2026-02-17 22:51:01
[US Labor Market Strengthens in January] Data released by The Conference Board on February 17 showed that the US labor market strengthened in January, with healthy job growth and a near-balance between supply and demand, resulting in a strong performance in its Employment Trends Index (ETI). Specifically, the ETI rose to 105.06 in January, while the December figure was revised upward to 104.51. As a leading indicator for non-farm payrolls, a rise in the ETI usually suggests an increase in future job creation. Economist Mitchell Barnes of The Conference Board stated that the rise in the ETI reflects the better-than-expected jobs report for the month, indicating that current unemployment and layoffs are moderate. Although hiring is expected to be flat in 2025, the labor market remains in a balanced range. The rebound in the ETI was mainly due to a decrease in unemployment insurance claims, a decline in the proportion of involuntary part-time workers, easing employment pressure, and improved job quality. However, concerns remain regarding the recovery: the proportion of consumers who felt it was difficult to find work rose to 20.8% in January, a new high since the beginning of 2021, reflecting weak consumer confidence and insufficient hiring intentions from businesses, which diverges from the employment data. Barnes points out that while the hard indicators of the labor market are solid, market confidence is negative, and this divergence may indicate that the future recovery remains uncertain.
