Macro EconomyMedium•1 October 2026•
1 min read
US Job Cuts Drop 18% in September as Layoff Activity Cools
Key Facts
1US-based employers announced 18% fewer job cuts in September compared to August, and a 20% decrease from the same month last year.
US-based employers announced 18% fewer job cuts in September compared to August, and a 20% decrease from the same month last year. Seeking Alpha reported that the planned layoffs reached their lowest total for the month of September since 2022, according to data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
The decline in layoff activity suggests a stabilization in the labor market following previous periods of volatility. This trend aligns with other recent employment indicators, as initial jobless claims in the US were recorded at 197,000 on September 24, 2026, performing better than the forecasted 201,000 claims.