US job gains in December likely remained modest, with 60,000 jobs added, far below 2 million in 2024. Jobless rate expected to ease to 4.5%. Employers slowed hiring in 2025, focusing on cost-saving efforts amid AI adoption. Fed cautious about easing rates early 2026 due to progress on reducing inflation.

December jobs report to be released by BLS, including November figures on job openings and ISM surveys for manufacturers and service providers. October housing starts and preliminary consumer sentiment index also to be reported. Canada, Australia, euro area, and Israel to publish job numbers and inflation readings.

Euro zone inflation reports for December expected to stabilize at 2%. ECB survey of consumer inflation expectations and unemployment data to be released. Manufacturing-related numbers for Germany, France, and Spain. Deadline for ECB No. 2 post applications with finance ministers to decide successor later this month.

Switzerland and Sweden to release inflation data, with central banks monitoring progress toward targets. Norway’s consumer-price growth to be watched. UK consumer lending numbers and end of Parliament’s recess may spark political discourse. Turkish inflation data and Israeli central bank decision on borrowing costs expected.

Australia’s CPI figures for November may show easing inflation above central bank’s target. Japan’s wage growth to slow in November. Inflation readings from the Philippines and Taiwan. Latin American countries to close 2025 with consumer price data supporting monetary policy tweaks. Brazil to unwind aggressive policies, Colombia to tighten rates. Chile to release central bank meeting minutes. Peru’s BCRP may consider easing, but election volatility could lead to caution.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Modest US Hiring to Cap a Sluggish Year for the Job Market