10/27/2026
A few recent headlines caught my attention because they show how quickly the economic picture can shift.
The September jobs report showed a gain of 29,000 payroll jobs, with unemployment at 4.2%. However, back in February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ annual update revised estimated 2025 job growth from 584,000 to 181,000. That is a substantial change to the picture we had been seeing. Manufacturing has been a brighter spot, adding 72,000 jobs since its recent low in December 2025, though the kinds of skills manufacturers need are changing.
Microsoft announced a new voluntary exit offer today. The Associated Press reports that about 60,000 employees could be eligible, although the offer applies only to eligible employees in participating teams. It is a voluntary program, not an announcement of 60,000 layoffs. The timing is notable as Microsoft continues investing heavily in AI.
Housing has its own set of signals. NAR reported that pending home sales fell 7.3% in September from August and 11.3% from a year earlier, reaching the lowest index reading since tracking began in 2001. Higher mortgage rates are slowing buyer activity, while growing inventory and more price reductions may create opportunities for some buyers.
These headlines don’t tell us exactly what is happening in every local market, or what makes sense for any one household.
All households are different. All markets, not only Green Bay different than Oshkosh, but price ranges within each market.
Details matter. I'm happy to listen.
Scott
