(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 2 apr - US-based employers announced 60,620 job cuts in March, a 25% increase from the 48,307 cuts announced one month prior, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas said.

It is down 78.0% from the 275,240 cuts announced in the same month in 2025.

"Removing the wave of federal layoffs announced in February and March of last year, job cut announcements in 2026 are closely following the pattern of 2025," Andy Challenger, workplace expert and chief revenue officer for Challenger, said.

"Last year it was Government, Retail, and Technology. This year, it's Technology, Transportation, and Healthcare,' he said.

In the first quarter, employers announced 217,362 job cuts, the lowest Q1 total since 2022, when 55,696 cuts were recorded.

It is down 16% from the 259,948 recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, and down 56% from the 497,052 cuts announced.

in the first quarter of 2025.

(RADIOCOR) 02-04-26 13:58:54 (0363) 5 NNNN