Scott Horsley

Once a year, the government updates its jobs tally with more complete information from business tax records.

This year's update shows hiring for all of last year was far weaker than originally reported.

Employers added just 181,000 jobs in all of 2025.

That averages out to about 15,000 jobs a month.

Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

Hiring picked up steam in January after anemic gains in November and December.

U.S.

employers added 130,000 jobs last month.

with much of that growth coming in health care and construction.

Bars and restaurants added about 28,000 jobs in January, while factories added 5,000.

The positive news was tempered somewhat by an annual update, showing job growth last year was much weaker than first reported.

On average, employers added only about 15,000 jobs a month in 2025.

But with many baby boomers retiring and fewer immigrants coming into the country, the unemployment rate has remained low.

Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

The retail report from the Commerce Department shows overall spending at stores and restaurants didn't budge in December as cautious shoppers watched their pennies.

Spending on cars, furniture, and electronics fell, while spending on groceries and gasoline was slightly higher.

Stock in Coca-Cola lost a little fizz after the company projected a slower sales growth than forecasters were expecting this year.

Coke raised prices in North America by 4 percent in its most recent quarter.

For those who are thirsty for savings, the company began offering smaller cans.

Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.