Hiring by US companies slowed sharply in February, according to the ADP Employment Report. Employers added 77,000 workers last month, well below expectations and January’s 186,000 increase. “Policy uncertainty and a slowdown in consumer spending might have led to layoffs or a slowdown in hiring last month,” said ADP’s chief economist, Nela Richardson. “Our data, combined with other recent indicators, suggests a hiring hesitancy among employers as they assess the economic climate ahead.”

Trump paused his tariffs on auto imports for 30 days after heads of leading US automakers meet with the president. All the other across-the-board 25% tariffs imposed on Mexico and Canada this week remain in effect.

ISM Services Index edged higher in February, indicating growth for eighth straight month. The moderate pace suggests that growth in the services sector has remained relatively stable despite anxieties over tariffs and federal spending cuts.

US factory orders rebounded more than expected in January. New orders for manufactured goods increased 1.7% following two straight monthly declines.

The Federal Reserve’s “Beige Book” report indicates increasing uncertainty and anxiety among business leaders. The report highlights rising concern about the impact of President Donald Trump’s escalating trade wars.

A weaker US Dollar is a tailwind for US investors in foreign markets this year, reports a note from TMC Research, a unit of The Milwaukee Company, a wealth manager. “The case for international diversification has fallen on deaf ears in recent years as US stocks powered far ahead of their offshore counterparts, but 2025’s reversal of fortunes has focused minds anew on the case for global investing.”