Back
U.S. factory job cuts near highest levels since 2009 and Covid-19

U.S. factory job cuts near highest levels since 2009 and Covid-19

Manufacturing layoffs are running close to peaks last seen after the global financial crisis and during the pandemic, CNBC reported, underscoring renewed strain in a key segment of the U.S. economy.

Fact Check
The claim is directly supported by both the CNBC report and the underlying primary source. The S&P Global Flash US PMI press release (June 2026) states manufacturing employment fell at its sharpest rate since May 2020 (Covid lockdowns), and S&P economist Chris Williamson explicitly notes factory job cuts excluding the pandemic are the highest since 2009. The CNBC article 'Factory job cuts in June neared financial crisis and Covid levels, S&P says' accurately summarizes this. The headline framing of cuts 'near highest levels since 2009 and Covid-19' matches the source data.
    Reference: 12
Summary

Job cuts at U.S. factories are running near their highest levels since the end of the global financial crisis in 2009 and the Covid-19 pandemic, signaling renewed pressure on the manufacturing sector. CNBC reported the move, pointing to layoffs approaching extremes associated with earlier periods of severe economic disruption. The comparison suggests factory employers are facing a sharp enough slowdown to revive labor-market stress in a part of the economy often watched as a barometer of industrial demand.

Terms & Concepts