Svmuu News: Last week, initial jobless claims in the U.S. rose modestly, indicating that despite continued weakness in labor demand, layoffs remain at relatively low levels heading into the end of 2025. While data has fluctuated in recent weeks due to seasonal adjustments related to the year-end holiday season, overall layoff numbers remain low by historical standards. Employers have been hesitant to hire new staff due to tariff uncertainties and the rise of artificial intelligence, but there has been no wave of mass layoffs, leaving the labor market in a state of “stagnation.” Market attention has now shifted to Friday’s upcoming December nonfarm payrolls report. Economists expect nonfarm payrolls to have increased by 60,000 last month, with the unemployment rate projected to fall to 4.5% from the over four-year high of 4.6% reached in November. It is worth noting that the November unemployment rate was partially distorted by the 43-day federal government shutdown. (Jin Shi)