Alternative data shows further weakness in the US job market: LinkUp estimates show the US economy lost -25,000 jobs in January. LinkUp uses a dataset of real-time job postings, sourced directly from company websites nationwide. That would mark the 4th monthly contraction over the last 8 months, following June, August, and October 2025. This estimate is based on job openings data from December that showed a -3.7% MoM decline. At the same time, new US job openings fell -5.6% MoM, posting the 2nd-consecutive monthly decline. The job market needs help.