Following two consecutive dramatic drops, the Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Chicago rose 7.5 points to 86.0. Fewer job security fears and improving perceptions of personal finances contributed to the increase. Nevertheless, the Windy City’s measure of worker confidence is well below last January’s 92.4. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.
Worker confidence waned in Texas in January, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) slipped 1.2 points to 113.1. The current measure of worker confidence for the Lone Star State falls shy of last January’s 120.3. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.
Ohio worker confidence waned again in December, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) registered its fifth consecutive decline. The measure of worker confidence fell 7.7 points in January to 83.9. In comparison, Ohio’s Index was 100.4 last January. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.
Worker confidence held steady in Philadelphia in January, as the city’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) edged up just .1 point to 76.5. The measure of worker confidence for Philadelphia was significantly higher one year earlier, when it registered 91.6. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.
Legal workers were feeling less confident in the New Year, as the group’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) plummeted 10.4 points to 93.5.Concerns over finances and job security contributed to the decline, along with decreased hiring expectations. The Index for the legal sector was 98.6 last January. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all occupations, held steady at 89.0.
During a month when most parts of the country saw worker confidence remain low, if not drop, the Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Washington, D.C. climbed 13.1 points to 106.8. All factors contributing to the Index reading improved in January to bring about this month’s increase. However, the latest measure of worker confidence for the nation’s capital falls short of last January’s 108.2. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for New York City slipped 7.5 points to a record low of 76.8 in January. Concerns over finances and job security triggered the decline. NYC’s latest measure of worker confidence is 13.5 points below last January’s 90.3. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.
IT worker confidence waned for the fourth consecutive month in January, as the group’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) fell 8.8 points to 91.0. Lower hiring expectations and financial concerns triggered the drop. The Index for IT Workers was 103.4 last January. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Minneapolis - St. Paul fell 2.6 points to 85.6 in January. Increased concerns over finances and more anticipated layoffs influenced the decrease, despite better hiring expectations. The latest measure of worker confidence for the Twin Cities is more than 23 points lower than last January’s reading of 109.2. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for healthcare workers inched up 0.4 points to 94.5 in January. Improved perceptions of workers’ finances were offset by a weaker sense of job security. In contrast, the Index registered 107.7 one year ago. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all occupations, held steady at 89.0.
Following two months of record lows, the Hudson Employment Index (SM) for California workers climbed 6.3 points to 96.1 in January. Improved perceptions of workers’ finances and less expected job cuts triggered the rise. Nevertheless, California’s latest monthly measure of worker confidence is well below last January’s Index of 110.5. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.
After hitting a record low in December, the Hudson Employment Index (SM) for San Francisco held steady in January, inching up less than one point to 75.1. Improved job satisfaction was offset by financial concerns. The Bay City’s current reading is almost twenty points below last January’s Index of 94.2. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Los Angeles held steady in January, climbing 0.8 points to 92.0. The city’s latest reading is 10.3 points below last January’s 102.3. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.
Few small business owners started out the year with confidence in the direction of the U.S. economy, according to the Discover Small Business Watch.
The Hudson Employment Index(SM) held steady in January as worker confidence decreased by only three-tenths of a point to 89.0.
Forty-one percent (41%) of American voters favor the economic stimulus package agreed to by the President and the House of Representatives. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 26% oppose it while 33% are not sure.
Bill Gates, bloviating at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, is issuing a clarion call for a "kinder capitalism" to aid the world's poor. Gates says he has grown impatient with the shortcomings of capitalism. He thinks it's failing much of the world. This, of course, from a guy who's worth around $35 billion (give or take a billion).
As economic worries mount, 54% of American voters believe that tax cuts generally help the economy. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 15% believe tax cuts are bad for the economy.
A recent Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 84% of adults consider the U.S. automobile industry at least somewhat important to the financial stability of the overall economy. That includes 39% who believe it is Very Important.
With the passing of the holiday shopping season, consumers are expecting to scale back their spending in January, as ratings of the economy and their personal finances worsened.
