Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images News | Getty Images The labor market is currently in a frozen state , characterized by low hiring and turnover — and economists said the war in Iran could exacerbate the problem. "It will chill the labor market even more," Nicholas Bloom, an economics professor at Stanford University, said last week during a Harvard Kennedy School webinar on the war's economic co...
Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images News | Getty Images The labor market is currently in a frozen state , characterized by low hiring and turnover — and economists said the war in Iran could exacerbate the problem. "It will chill the labor market even more," Nicholas Bloom, an economics professor at Stanford University, said last week during a Harvard Kennedy School webinar on the war's economic consequences. If you have a job right now, "don't leave it," because things will get harder, Bloom said. Job market hit by 'superhero ice-blast' A jobseeker fills out a form during a job fair hosted by Statue City Cruises at Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City, New Jersey, on March 17, 2026. The US Department of Labor is scheduled to release initial jobless claims figures on March 19. Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images The job market had already been on shaky footing before the U.S. and Israel started bombing Iran on Feb. 28, economists said. Employers are hiring at their lowest rates since 2013, outside of the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is through January. Meanwhile, employers are laying off workers at a historically low rate . Read more CNBC personal finance coverage Iran war may further 'chill' an already frozen job market, economist says More than 7 million student loan borrowers are in a defunct payment plan Lawmakers warn of price gouging amid Iran war — experts point to supply shocks Donating from your IRA has tax advantages. A bipartisan bill may expand options BlackRock CEO Fink: Trump accounts may be 'significant' wealth-building tool The uneven cost of tariffs: Why some households will pay more than others When it comes to private credit, 'some caution is reasonable,' advisor says 'War tax resistance' gains attention amid Iran conflict, but IRS penalties apply Average IRS tax refund is up 10.8%, new filing data shows Your tax refund could be smaller than expected this sea...
Chewy (CHWY) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of -3.57% and +0.27%, respectively, for the quarter ended January 2026. Do the numbers hold clues to what lies ahead for the stock?
Chewy (CHWY) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of -3.57% and +0.27%, respectively, for the quarter ended January 2026. Do the numbers hold clues to what lies ahead for the stock?
Stock Futures Surge, Oil Tumbles On Iran Ceasefire Optimism US futures are sharply higher and oil tumbles as the US reportedly offered a15-point plan to help bring the conflict to a close triggering a global rally ; Meanwhile Iran is said to have rejected the plan and kept up missile and drone attacks on Israel and Arab Gulf states in response to attacks on its own facilities, while the US continu...
Stock Futures Surge, Oil Tumbles On Iran Ceasefire Optimism US futures are sharply higher and oil tumbles as the US reportedly offered a15-point plan to help bring the conflict to a close triggering a global rally ; Meanwhile Iran is said to have rejected the plan and kept up missile and drone attacks on Israel and Arab Gulf states in response to attacks on its own facilities, while the US continues to move new military assets into place ahead of Trump’s deadline to reopen the SoH. So the situation remains fluid. Even so, S&P futures rose 1.0% and Nasdaq futures gained over 1.1% , with all Mag 7 stocks higher pre-market; Semis and Cyclicals ex-Energy are higher with some defensives such as healthcare maintaining a bid. The yield on two-year Treasuries dropped four basis points to 3.86% while 10Y yields traded down to 4.31%; the USD is flat and commodities are selling off. Energy and natgas are weaker; Brent fell 6% to below $99 a barrel even as the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively shut as a diplomatic push by the US to try to end the war with Iran gathered pace, eclipsing news of more troops being sent to the region; precious metals are rallying despite the USD being flat. Meanwhile, reminding us that another war is taking place, drones attacked Russia’s Ust-Luga port on the Baltic Sea, setting it on fire as Ukraine carried out the most intense air strike on its foe in more than a year. Today's US economic data calendar includes February import/export priced index and 4Q current account balance (8:30am). Fed speaker slate includes Miran at 4:10pm In premarket trading, Mag 7 stocks all rise (Alphabet +1.3%, Amazon +1.3%, Apple +0.8%, Nvidia +1.5%, Meta +0.9%, Microsoft +1%, Tesla +1.8%). Miners such as Newmont Corp. and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. were among the biggest gainers in US premarket trading. Arm Holdings (ARM) rises 12% after the semiconductor designer said it will start selling its own chips for the first time. The new business is expected to generate abou...
A 3-year study published in Pediatrics examined newborns in Norway. It found a clear benefit for the baby when mom gets a COVID vaccination during pregnancy. (Image credit: Didier Pallages)
A 3-year study published in Pediatrics examined newborns in Norway. It found a clear benefit for the baby when mom gets a COVID vaccination during pregnancy. (Image credit: Didier Pallages)