AI Data Insight
US ADP private sector employment added only 22,000 jobs in December, a further slowdown from the previous figure of 41,000, indicating that labor demand is nearing stagnation. Looking back at 2025, employment data fell into negative territory multiple times; manufacturing remained weak, with only the healthcare services sector barely providing support. The market generally expects the beginning of 2026 to maintain a "low hiring, low layoff" ice age.