Lots More on the Worsening State of the US Labor Market

In this episode of "Odd Lots More," Joe, Tracy, and Conor Sen discuss the confusing state of the labor market amidst a government shutdown that has delayed the release of official jobs data. They analyze alternative data points like the ADP and Challenger reports, highlighting their discrepancies and potential biases. The conversation explores the impact of factors like AI, immigration, and corporate cost-cutting on job growth, as well as the tension between "contracted" and "spot" labor markets. They also discuss the potential political ramifications of AI and the challenges facing the Federal Reserve in navigating the current economic landscape. The hosts touch on consumer behavior, referencing the performance of food-related stocks and the changing preferences of different age demographics.