February 5, 2026
United States:
US Companies Announced Most Job Cuts for Any January Since 2009
US companies announced the largest number of job cuts for any January since the depths of the Great Recession in 2009, according to data from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc.
Companies last month announced 108,435 job cuts, a 118% increase from a year earlier. The report on Thursday also showed hiring intentions slid 13% from a year earlier to 5,306 — marking the weakest total for any January in the firm’s records back to 2009.
Europe:
ECB Holds Rates as Euro Rally and Tariffs Threaten Economy
The European Central Bank kept interest rates unchanged as officials assess the economic toll of a rally in the euro and renewed trade unpredictability.
The deposit rate was left at 2% on Thursday — as predicted by all economists in a Bloomberg survey.
Asia:
Japan’s 30-Year Bond Sale Calms Nervous Market on Firmer Demand
Japan’s 30-year bonds gained after an auction of that tenor drew stronger demand, easing immediate concerns about longer-maturity debt just days from a closely watched election.
The yield on 30-year bonds fell as much as seven basis points to 3.565% after the bid-to-cover ratio at the Ministry of Finance’s sale on Thursday rose from last month’s auction.
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