U.S. companies announced the lowest number of layoffs for September since 2022.

U.S. companies announced the fewest September job cuts since 2022, according to data from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. Employers announced 43,281 layoffs last month, down nearly 20% from a year earlier. So far this year, planned job cuts are down nearly 40% compared with the same period in 2025. Meanwhile, a report released Thursday showed that hiring intentions were sluggish in September, a month when companies typically begin adding staff for the year-end holiday shopping season. Companies announced plans to add 90,787 workers, the smallest September hiring plan since 2011. "Companies are in a holding pattern right now," Chief Revenue Officer Andy Challenger said in a statement. "Employers are facing high energy costs, uncertainty over the outlook for war with Iran, interest rate hikes that could raise hiring costs, and potentially soaring healthcare costs."