US unemployment stood at 4.6% in November, with analysts saying the Christmas shopping season has started off well, but with an air of uncertainty. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows payroll growth has been minimal since April, and a rising number of Americans are working part-time because they cannot find full-time roles.
A holiday preview from Visible Alpha, published by S&P Global Market Intelligence, points to a season driven by tariffs, a recent Federal Reserve rate cut, and strong online sales — rather than a clear uptick in household incomes.
