Challenger, Gray & Christmas announced that layoffs disclosed by major US firms last month hit 71,482 in January up from 49,094 in December.

Downsizing at ten companies made up a third of the total:

Verizon (VZ): 13,000   Wal-Mart (WMT): 11,000.  New United Motor: 3,698

Xerox (XRX): 2,500   Smurfit Stone: 2,185    Georgia State Prison System: 1,550   Macy’s (M) 1,500

Sam’s Club: 1,500    Birmingham, Al:  1,380  Lockheed Martin (LMT): 1,200

Douglas A. McIntyre