The volume of help-wanted advertising edged up in June, according to the the
Conference Board's Help-Wanted Advertising Index. The index increased three
points in June and now stands at 38. It was 47 one year ago.
"There are signs that overall economic growth will pick up in the third
quarter," says Ken Goldstein, an economist with the Conference Board. "However,
because want-ad volume was lower in June than in January, hiring is not likely
to pick up through the summer months. The Consumer Confidence Index fell in
July, reflecting discouragement that despite a year and a half after the recession
ended, consumers may face another six months before the labor market turns around."
In the last three months, help-wanted advertising declined in six of the nine
U.S. regions. Steepest declines occurred in the New England (-12.1 percent),
East South Central (-11.6 percent) and Middle Atlantic (-9.7 percent) regions.
Increases occurred in the Mountain (10.3 percent), West North Central (4.2 percent)
and Pacific (3.8 percent) regions.
The Conference Board surveys help-wanted advertising volume in 51 major newspapers
across the country every month.
Latest seasonally adjusted results:
June 03
May 03
April 03
June 02
National
Index
38
35
36
47
Proportion
of Labor Markets With rising Want-ad Volume
