CNBC Business News Update Market Open: Stocks Higher, January Jobs Report Stronger Than Expected, 2025 Job Creation Revised Downward To Near Net Zero Job Growth 2/11/26
Feb 11, 2026
Markets ticked up after a surprisingly strong January jobs print and a lower unemployment rate. Discussion centers on large 2025 job-count revisions and concentrated hiring in health care and education. Coverage also highlights corporate earnings misses, recent layoffs, and notable moves from automakers, consumer brands, and restaurant chains.
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Strong January Jobs Mask Weak Annual Growth
- The U.S. added a surprisingly strong 130,000 jobs in January, beating expectations and nudging markets higher.
- Revisions show 2025 job creation was much lower, near net-zero growth, revealing softer labor dynamics.
Major Downward Revisions Tell A Different Story
- Revisions trimmed last year's payroll gains by about 860,000, leaving 2025 near net-zero job growth.
- That downward revision suggests underlying labor market weakness despite the January uptick.
Job Gains Are Sector Specific, Not Broad-Based
- Net job growth is concentrated in health care and education, while tech employment is flat or declining.
- Employers show hiring hesitancy and rely on attrition as many workers retire each month.