This is CNBC's Morning Squawk newsletter. Subscribe here to receive future editions in your inbox. Happy Thursday. For nearly a week last year, McDonald's was the number-one global seller of one thing, and it wasn't edible. The fast-food chain in December became the world's top sock — yes, sock — seller thanks to its Grinch Meal. Stock futures are higher this morning following a down day. Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:
1. Performance review
"Now Hiring" signage at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek, California, US, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The U.S. labor market added 130,000 nonfarm payrolls last month, more than double the 55,000 jobs expected by the Dow Jones consensus estimate. The better-than-expected report also showed the unemployment rate in January decreased to 4.3% — its lowest level since August. Here's what to know: Job growth in January was better than any month in 2025, but Wednesday's report still wasn't all positive. Most of the month's job growth was concentrated in health care-related fields.
Annual revisions also showed payroll gains between April 2024 and March 2025 were 898,000 lower than initially stated.
On a monthly basis, November's previous estimate was revised down by 15,000 while December's number fell by 2,000. That tallied to a net loss of 1,000 jobs in the final six months of 2025.
All in all, the strong headline data was not enough to quell concerns about the health of the U.S. labor market.
Stocks initially rose following the report's release, but all three major indexes closed Tuesday's session lower.
Traders increasingly see the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates steady until at least June, which could have tempered investor enthusiasm.
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