Am I the only one noticing the lack of new hires?

Been at Merck for a few years now, and it feels like the hiring spigot has been turned off. Usually, this time of year, we'd be seeing new faces or at least job postings for open roles. But lately? Crickets. I've talked to a few colleagues in different departments, and they're seeing the same thing. It's not just a few roles, it's a widespread slowdown. I know companies do hiring pauses sometimes, but this feels different. It's not just about filling immediate needs; it feels like a strategic shift. Anyone else in R&D, commercial, or any other area seeing this? Is this a prelude to something bigger, or is there a new talent acquisition strategy I'm missing?