I just saw some interesting statistics — unemployment benefit claims in the US dropped to 199,000 in December, whereas economists expected 219,000. This is the lowest level since September, and it’s truly impressive for the holiday season.

It's normal for unemployment benefit claims to be higher in December due to seasonal fluctuations, but this time it’s the opposite. Retail employment held steady, healthcare remained stable, and no state reported a surge in layoffs. The four-week average also fell to 213,700.

Analysts say this is a sign of real strength in the labor market, not just statistical noise. Employers are clearly confident, if not rushing to cut staff. It will be interesting to see how this influences the Fed’s decision on interest rates.