The latest employment data is painting a concerning picture. Tuesday's job numbers came in softer than expected, and it's hard to ignore what's happening behind the scenes. Corporate America is in full cost-cutting mode—major layoffs are becoming routine announcements, not exceptions. Meanwhile, C-suite executives keep hammering the same message: AI is coming for jobs. Whether it's manufacturing, tech, or services, nobody's claiming their sector is immune anymore. The question isn't if automation will reshape the labor market, but how fast. For those watching market cycles, this economic shift matters. A weakening job market typically signals broader economic headwinds ahead, which often influences how investors think about risk assets and portfolio positioning.