Latest Industry Trends News
Renewable Energy Jobs Growth Slows Despite Record Installations
A new IRENA–ILO review reports **renewable energy jobs** reached 16.6 million in 2024, but employment growth slowed to 2.3% despite record deployment. Solar PV remains the largest employer with 7.3 million jobs, heavily concentrated in Asia and especially China, underscoring persistent geographic imbalances and the need for more inclusive, skills-focused transition policies.
China Extends Lead in Clean Tech Manufacturing and Supply Chains
The IRENA report highlights China as the **preeminent force** in renewable capacity deployment and equipment manufacturing, enabled by integrated, large-scale supply chains and unmatched pricing. This dominance is reinforcing regional concentration of green manufacturing jobs and raising competitiveness and dependency concerns for other economies seeking to localize clean-tech production.
Global Industrial Metals Rally on Tech and Energy Transition Demand
Industrial metals, especially **copper**, have hit new long‑term highs, driven by supply constraints in mining and surging demand from technology, EVs, and general industrial activity. Analysts note strong inflows into both industrial and precious metals, with money “flowing into all metals,” positioning copper and related ETFs as key assets tied to electrification and infrastructure trends.
Gold and Silver Near Record Highs as Investors Hedge Macro Risks
Gold recently closed near **$4,500** and silver traded above **$80**, approaching record territory amid strong investor demand for safe havens. The synchronized rise in precious and industrial metals signals broader portfolio reallocation into commodities, reflecting expectations of persistent inflation risks and robust real‑asset demand from the green and digital transitions.
Labor Market Divergence Emerges Across Advanced Economies
Recent data show **US unemployment** fell to 4.4% with solid services activity, while **Canada’s unemployment** rose to 6.8%, suggesting a relative slowdown there. Stable US wage growth and softer manufacturing contrast with Canada’s weaker labor market, shaping divergent interest‑rate expectations and corporate investment plans in North America.
IMF Prepares New Global Outlook Amid Growth and Policy Uncertainty
The IMF is set to release its **World Economic Outlook Update** in mid‑January, covering near‑ and medium‑term projections for the global economy. The update will inform expectations on growth, inflation, and monetary policy paths, guiding corporate planning and sector allocation decisions across industries.
Markets Enter 2026 with Solid Growth and Fed Easing Tailwinds
Macro strategists describe the 2026 market regime as driven by a “powerful, if fragile” mix of **solid economic growth** and a **Federal Reserve that is easing**. This backdrop supports risk assets, particularly cyclicals and growth sectors, while leaving markets sensitive to any negative surprises on inflation or policy re‑tightening.
Southern California Real Estate Shows Low Inventory and Flat Price Outlook
A January 2026 market snapshot for Southern California highlights **tight housing inventory**, with months of supply below typical balanced‑market levels. The analyst expects largely **flat prices and flat inventory** over the year, signaling a continued affordability squeeze and constrained transaction volumes rather than a sharp correction.
Global Services Sector Stays Buoyant While Manufacturing Remains Softer
Recent US data show the **ISM Services PMI** outperforming expectations, indicating a buoyant services sector, while the **ISM Manufacturing PMI** was slightly weaker. This divergence supports strength in consumer‑ and service‑oriented industries while keeping pressure on manufacturing‑heavy regions and firms to adapt capacity and supply‑chain strategies.
Inflation Eases in Australia and Switzerland, Shaping Rate Expectations
Australian CPI surprised by falling from 3.8% to **3.4%**, while Swiss CPI printed at **0%**, both in line with or better than expectations. Softer inflation in these economies provides room for less restrictive monetary policy, influencing capital flows, currency dynamics, and interest‑sensitive sectors such as housing and consumer discretionary.