{"id":58410,"date":"2026-02-12T09:38:22","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T13:38:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/economic-data-mixed-as-jobless-claims-rise-china-smartphone-sales-slump\/58410\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T09:38:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T13:38:22","slug":"economic-data-mixed-as-jobless-claims-rise-china-smartphone-sales-slump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/economic-data-mixed-as-jobless-claims-rise-china-smartphone-sales-slump\/58410\/","title":{"rendered":"Economic Data Mixed as Jobless Claims Rise, China Smartphone Sales Slump"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/economic-data-mixed-as-jobless-claims-rise-china-smartphone-sales-slump\/58410\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/economic-data-mixed-as-jobless-claims-rise-china-smartphone-sales-slump\/58410\/#US_Jobless_Claims_Point_to_Labor_Market_Shifts\" >US Jobless Claims Point to Labor Market Shifts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/economic-data-mixed-as-jobless-claims-rise-china-smartphone-sales-slump\/58410\/#Chinas_Smartphone_Market_Sees_Significant_Decline\" >China&#39;s Smartphone Market Sees Significant Decline<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/economic-data-mixed-as-jobless-claims-rise-china-smartphone-sales-slump\/58410\/#FedEx_Delivers_Strong_Outlook_and_Long-Term_Targets\" >FedEx Delivers Strong Outlook and Long-Term Targets<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/economic-data-mixed-as-jobless-claims-rise-china-smartphone-sales-slump\/58410\/#Alnylam_Pharmaceuticals_Exceeds_Q4_Expectations\" >Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Exceeds Q4 Expectations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/economic-data-mixed-as-jobless-claims-rise-china-smartphone-sales-slump\/58410\/#Other_Market_Observations\" >Other Market Observations<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>US jobless claims unexpectedly rose<\/strong>, with initial claims hitting <strong>227,000<\/strong> and continuing claims reaching <strong>1.862 million<\/strong>, both surpassing analyst estimates.<\/li>\n<li><strong>China&#39;s smartphone sales plummeted 23%<\/strong> year-over-year in January 2026, though <strong>Apple (<a href=\"\/stock\/AAPL\">AAPL<\/a>) defied the trend<\/strong> amidst a market led by Huawei.<\/li>\n<li><strong>FedEx (<a href=\"\/stock\/FDX\">FDX<\/a>) provided an optimistic outlook<\/strong>, projecting <strong>Q3 adjusted EPS above consensus<\/strong> and setting ambitious <strong>2029 revenue targets of approximately $98 billion<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (<a href=\"\/stock\/ALNY\">ALNY<\/a>) surpassed Q4 earnings estimates<\/strong>, reporting <strong>adjusted EPS of $1.28<\/strong> against an IBES estimate of $1.12.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"US_Jobless_Claims_Point_to_Labor_Market_Shifts\"><\/span>US Jobless Claims Point to Labor Market Shifts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The latest weekly data on US jobless claims revealed an unexpected uptick, suggesting a potential softening in the labor market. Initial jobless claims for the week ending February 7, 2026, came in at <strong>227,000<\/strong>, higher than the estimated <strong>223,000<\/strong> and the revised previous figure of <strong>232,000<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Continuing jobless claims for the week ending January 31, 2026, also rose to <strong>1.862 million<\/strong>, exceeding the estimated <strong>1.850 million<\/strong> and the previous week&#39;s <strong>1.844 million<\/strong>. <em>These figures indicate a slight increase in unemployment applications and a larger pool of individuals remaining on unemployment benefits, which could signal a cooling trend in the employment sector.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Chinas_Smartphone_Market_Sees_Significant_Decline\"><\/span>China&#39;s Smartphone Market Sees Significant Decline<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>China&#39;s smartphone market experienced a substantial downturn in January 2026, with sales falling <strong>23%<\/strong> year-over-year, according to Counterpoint data. This significant slump is attributed to a tough comparison with the previous year&#39;s subsidy-driven surge and a shift in the timing of the Lunar New Year.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the overall market contraction, <strong>Huawei<\/strong> emerged as the leader, while <strong>Apple (<a href=\"\/stock\/AAPL\">AAPL<\/a>)<\/strong> managed to buck the prevailing negative trend. <em>The performance highlights the intense competition and evolving consumer preferences within the world&#39;s largest smartphone market.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FedEx_Delivers_Strong_Outlook_and_Long-Term_Targets\"><\/span>FedEx Delivers Strong Outlook and Long-Term Targets<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Logistics giant <strong>FedEx (<a href=\"\/stock\/FDX\">FDX<\/a>)<\/strong> offered an encouraging financial update, forecasting its <strong>Q3 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) to be above analysts&#39; consensus<\/strong>. Analysts had anticipated a Q3 adjusted profit of <strong>$3.99 per share<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Looking further ahead, FedEx outlined ambitious long-term targets for 2029, aiming for revenue of approximately <strong>$98 billion<\/strong>, operating income of <strong>$8 billion<\/strong>, and adjusted free cash flow of <strong>$6 billion<\/strong>. <em>These projections underscore the company&#39;s confidence in its strategic initiatives and future growth prospects.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Alnylam_Pharmaceuticals_Exceeds_Q4_Expectations\"><\/span>Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Exceeds Q4 Expectations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (<a href=\"\/stock\/ALNY\">ALNY<\/a>)<\/strong> reported a strong performance for the fourth quarter, with <strong>adjusted EPS of $1.28<\/strong>, comfortably beating the IBES estimate of <strong>$1.12<\/strong>. The company&#39;s Q4 adjusted net income reached <strong>$169.753 million<\/strong>, with adjusted operating income at <strong>$203.35 million<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Net income for the quarter stood at <strong>$111.543 million<\/strong>, alongside operating income of <strong>$131.718 million<\/strong>. <em>The positive results suggest robust operational execution and demand for Alnylam&#39;s product portfolio.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Market_Observations\"><\/span>Other Market Observations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In political news, <strong>Peter Navarro<\/strong> stated that former President Trump desires <strong>Jamie Dimon<\/strong> to lower credit card rates, and also commented on Mexico and Canada being used as &quot;staging areas for China,&quot; citing significant flaws in the USMCA agreement. Separately, Ghana is reportedly considering an overhaul of its domestic cocoa pricing as futures prices experience a significant plunge.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways US jobless claims unexpectedly rose, with initial claims hitting 227,000 and continuing claims reaching 1.862 million, both surpassing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":50383,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"rank_math_schema_Article":[],"rank_math_focus_keyword":[],"rank_math_description":[],"financial_data_references":[],"stock_symbols_mentioned":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[5012],"tags":[6086,1327,6181,1807,6468,3886,6917,8755,5043,17055,5160,17056,5310,17057,5775,5807,5928],"class_list":["post-58410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news","tag-logistics","tag-china","tag-apple","tag-earnings","tag-aapl-stock-aapl-2","tag-eps","tag-fedex","tag-fdx-stock-fdx","tag-technology","tag-smartphone-sales","tag-economic-data","tag-alnylam-pharmaceuticals","tag-us-economy","tag-alny-stock-alny","tag-pharmaceuticals","tag-jobless-claims","tag-huawei"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58410"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58410\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}