2026 is here, and we get to find out how the United States economy has done in the last months of 2025. With the strongest Gross Domestic Product growth in two years at 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025, the U.S. is in a great spot for the beginning of the new year.
Three things to watch this week as November and December 2025 data is released:
1. U.S. Consumer Credit
Are U.S. consumers taking out more loans or relying on credit more? This release will be for November 2025 data and will detail the revolving and nonrevolving consumer credit, which involves credit cards, auto loans, student loans, as well as what institutions are holding this credit. In October, revolving consumer credit increased at an annual rate of 4.9% to $1.3 trillion. As the data covers the start of the holiday shopping season, we will see if consumers relied more on credit for purchases.
2. U.S. Consumer Sentiment Report
Another measure of how consumers are reacting to economic conditions is consumer sentiment. This data is maintained and released by the University of Michigan and surveys consumers on their outlook regarding the overall economy. While other economic measures indicate objective data on the health of the economy, consumer sentiment is one way of measuring how positive (or negative) people are about inflation, personal finances, and the overall economy. Although consumer sentiment grew from November to December, it fell 28% year over year. It is not unusual to see a split between positive economic indicators such as GDP and negative consumer sentiment, but will the new year bring more positivity to consumers?
3. U.S. Jobs Report
This week also brings us the monthly employment situation report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for December. This report gives us such data as the U.S. unemployment rate, labor force participation, and hourly wages. A more objective measure of economic growth and well-being, the jobs report is one to watch this week because it will give a summary of how employment has grown or declined over the full year after the economy recovered from an extensive government shutdown. Data for December is especially valuable for seeing how the economy is doing because the October data were missed due to the shutdown. November saw positive signs for the economy with the rise in labor force participation, and we look forward to more positive signs as the Trump administration works towards greater deregulation of the labor market.
Bottom Line
The new year brings new optimism for the U.S. economy as many states are starting their legislative sessions, and the busiest shopping season of the year is over. This week will bring more data on how the economy fared in 2025, and Americans will see how growth policies such as deregulation can really help the economy.