Job Market Sends Mixed Signals

[papau]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=578&e=8&u=/nm/20040129/bs_nm/economy_dc

Job Market Sends Mixed Signals
By Anna Willard and Kevin Plumberg

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Economic reports offered mixed readings on the health of the U.S. job market on Thursday, with claims for unemployment benefits edging downward while businesses remained nervous about hiring. <snip>

The Labor Department said new claims for state jobless benefits fell 1,000 to 342,000 in the week ended Jan. 24, down from a revised 343,000 the previous week. Analysts were expecting 340,000 new claims after the originally reported 341,000 in the Jan. 17 week. <snip>

In a separate report on Thursday, the Conference Board, a private research group, said some business managers may not be comfortable with hiring just yet. An index measuring help-wanted advertising in U.S. newspapers fell slightly, to 38 in December from 39 in November. <snip>

A third report on Thursday said employment costs in the final quarter of 2003 rose by the smallest amount in a year and by slightly less than expected.<snip>

Benefits costs rose 1.2 percent, outpacing a 0.5 percent gain in workers' wages. It was the smallest rise in benefits costs since the third quarter of 2002, while the increase in wages and salaries was the slightest in a year. <snip>

In another report, the Federal Reserve (news - web sites) Bank of Chicago said its National Activity Index slipped in December, mainly due to a lack of new jobs growth and slow manufacturing activity. The index fell to +0.13 in December from an upwardly revised 0.68 reading in November.

[On the Road]

1. How is This "Mixed"?

Maybe "stagnant," "flat," "slipping." Where are the positive elements in the mix?

[papau]

2. A 1000 decrease in new claims before revision doesn't sound "positive"?

Some folks just do not appreciate how low the bar is for Bush after the we are not right wingGOP controlled, we just act that way - media has performed its magic!

[0007]

8. It mixed up junior's mind

and in turn he said the economy was getting excited.

[Skittles]

9. I guess if it's not as bad as it could be

that's considered "positive" in Dubya's dismal economy.

[teryang]

3. You're fired equals mixed signal

...to a repugnican.

[UpInArms]

4. I see no "mixed signals" from the job market

Ford to lay off 1,000 workers at St. Louis-area plant
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=337795

IBM cutting 300 jobs in systems group
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=337989


Sears call hub closing; 800 jobs cut off (by CitiGroup)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=337982

KB Toys chain says it will cut 3,500 jobs and close at least 375 stores
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=337983

Kraft Will Cut 6,000 Jobs
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=336058

Topeka Company's Closing To Leave 790 Out Of Work
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=336980

Washington Mutual plans layoffs in Cobb (Georgia)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=337863

US big shots back outsourcing
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=337702

[bushwakker]

6. Liberal media at it again

thank christ i'm self employed

[54anickel]

7. And don't forget, they trumpeted 04 to be the year for mergers and

acquisitions. Consolidation and attrition will generally lead to more jobs/positions lost.

[Yavin4]

5. The Job Market Has Been Dead For Three Years

The only "improvement" that you're seeing is that people have gotten realistic about their job search. They're more willing to take the McJobs instead of holding out for returning to their career.

Ask yourself this, "Why are businesses so "nervous" about hiring?" What are they nervous about?"