a 3-year low. It’s most likely a statistical error, but it also coincides with the end of the government shutdown and the run-up to the Christmas selling season. Interest rates spiked up on the news. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics operating at 20% of its regular staff, the quality of the data is going to degrade.

Layoffs announced by U.S. employers fell sharply in November, but hiring intentions continued to lag as they navigated an uncertain economic environment against the backdrop of tariffs on imports and slowing demand. Global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas said on Thursday that planned job cuts declined to 71,321 last month from October. They were, however, 24% higher compared to the same period last year, and November's tally was the largest for the month since 2022.

(SNOW) shares slumped 8% in premarket trading on Thursday after the cloud data analytics company forecast slower product revenue growth for the fourth quarter, partly hit by discounts offered on the large, long-term deals.

as Fed interest rate cuts loom, thanks to the continuing dire jobs data. Investors have also been weighing the prospect of White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett taking over as Fed Chair after Jerome Powell’s term ends in May. Hassett is expected to push for more rate cuts.

after a dire six months. Costco’s fiscal first-quarter sales rose 8.2% to $65.98 billion, excluding membership fees, with comparable sales up 6.4%. Digitally enabled comparable sales for the quarter increased 20.5%, indicating significant e-commerce growth for Costco. November net sales reached $23.6 billion, an 8.1% year-over-year increase, with comparable foot traffic up 3.8% worldwide. Buy (COST) on dips.