California Economy Shows Growth Amid Weak Hiring

The UCLA Anderson Forecast said Wednesday that California has grown faster than the U.S. for four consecutive quarters, estimating annualized fourth-quarter GDP growth of 3.8% versus the nation’s 1.4%. Despite output strength, payrolls fell and unemployment stayed around 5.5% in December; the report warns of a bifurcated economy driven by AI and aerospace alongside slower sectors, projecting gradual job gains by 2027–2028.