ADP Payrolls Weak; Tech Stocks Drop; Viasat Volatile Amid Trade War Fears

The ADP National Employment Report for January 2026 showed the U.S. private sector added just 22,000 jobs, far below estimates of 45,000–48,000. Professional and business services shed 57,000, the largest monthly decline since mid-2025, signaling a potential cooling in the labor market and pressuring revenue-dependent companies. The reaction was immediate and broad: Planet Labs, Globalstar, WEBTOON, Viasat, and CECO Environmental shares fell. The geopolitical escalation over Greenland heightened trade-war risks, sending the VIX to an eight-week high as investors sought safe-haven assets. Viasat, which has had 60 moves greater than 5% over the last year, declined on the day, trading at $39.36 versus a 52-week high of $47.58. At current levels, a $1,000 investment in Viasat is worth $803.27.