October just dropped a bombshell for the US job market. Layoffs skyrocketed to levels we haven't seen in twenty years, according to fresh Challenger data. That's not just a headline number—it's a signal that companies are tightening belts harder than expected. The spike raises serious questions about economic resilience heading into year-end. With consumer spending and corporate confidence already shaky, this could accelerate recession fears and shift Federal Reserve's next moves. Labor market weakness tends to ripple through risk assets fast, so anyone watching macro trends should be paying close attention right now.