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It's probably just a reflection of budgets, needs, and forecasts.

During January of last year, companies were still in a hiring crunch because the pandemic restrictions hadn't yet been lifted in most places, and online sales were booming as a result. Rate hikes hadn't started, or even been announced yet. I'm not even sure if inflation data from the previous year had been announced yet

opportune time to do beginning of year before new projects..goal measurement and execution get underway.

also remember part of this to help share price. executive leadership teams sending message to market they ready to focus on “value” and cut the excess. earning season getting underway and most company have big miss against estimate, so need data to provide example of what cost cutting happening in earnings call.

> towards the start of the year with new budgets

A lot of companies do not align their financial year with the calendar year, I'm not sure much can be drawn from this.

Avoiding the holidays is probably another reason.