Confidence among Texas workers improved for the third consecutive month, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) rose 6.8 points to 131.1 in March. Increased job satisfaction coupled with reduced concern about job loss drove the uptick.
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) climbed to 109.0 in March from 107.1 in February. Improved sentiment regarding personal finances and job satisfaction prompted the third consecutive monthly rise in worker optimism.
In spite of mixed messages from other segments of the economy, economic confidence among small business owners increased in March, driven in part by improved cash flow and rising confidence among consumer-focused merchants, according to surveys conducted for this month’s Discover® Small Business Watch (SM).
Nearly half of Americans don't believe it's possible for middle-income families to save for a secure retirement. Another 17 percent aren't sure, leaving only 37 percent believing middle-income families can save enough to live comfortably in retirement. That's according to a new survey by Country Insurance & Financial Services.
The emergence of online video is increasing the gap between the Internet community and those who don’t go online. While 24% of Americans rarely or never go online, a Rasmussen Reports survey found that 29% of American adults watched online video within the last week.
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for San Francisco was virtually unchanged in February, inching up .6 points to 94.8. The latest Index is 4.4 points stronger than last February’s 90.4. The composite Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, rose 2.9 points this month to 107.1.
Worker confidence in Tampa dropped in February, as the city’s Hudson Employment Index (SM)slid 3.8 points to 116.1. Worsened sentiments about personal finances coupled with greater worry about job loss drove the decrease. The city’s latest measure of worker sentiment is well above last February’s Index of 110.9. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, rose 2.9 points this month to 107.1.
Worker confidence increased in Washington, DC in February, as the city’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) gained 3.5 points to 111.7. The latest measure of worker confidence for DC is lower than last February’s 118.4. The composite Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, rose 2.9 points this month to 107.1.
Following two consecutive months of decline, worker confidence in California improved in February. The state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) rose 5.7 points to 116.2 as a result of more expected hiring, improved sentiment regarding finances and a greater sense of job satisfaction. California’s latest Index is half of a point above last February’s reading of 115.7. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across the country, also rose 2.9 points to 107.1.
Worker confidence in Florida lost ground in February, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) fell 4.1 points to 114.2. Heightened job security concerns and less confidence in finances contributed to the decline. The state’s latest measure of worker confidence is more than six points shy of last February’s 120.8 reading. In sharp contrast, the national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across the country, rose 2.9 points to 107.1.
Ohio worker confidence spiked in February to its highest level since October 2004, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) climbed 8.2 points to 108.6. Improved perceptions regarding personal finances and overall job satisfaction largely contributed to the increase in the monthly measure of worker confidence.
Worker confidence in Pennsylvania waned for the second consecutive month in February, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) slipped 1.2 points to 98.9. The latest measure of worker sentiment is substantially lower than last February, when the state’s Index was 107.7. In contrast, the national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across the country, climbed up 2.9 points to 107.1.
Confidence among Texas workers improved for the second consecutive month in February, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) registered 124.5, up 4.2 points from January. Improved perceptions regarding personal finances were among the primary triggers of the increase in the monthly measure of worker confidence. The latest reading is in line with last February’s Index of 123.9. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across the country, also rose in February, gaining 2.9 points to 107.1.
After a large jump in January, worker confidence among accounting and finance workers cooled in February, as the group’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) fell 7 points to 113.5. Decreased job satisfaction and increased worry about job loss fueled this drop. The latest reading for this group of workers is virtually unchanged from last February’s 113.0. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all sectors, climbed up 2.9 points to 107.1.
Worker confidence jumped among both African-American and Hispanic workers in February. The monthly Hudson Employment Index (SM) for African-Americans climbed 9.2 points to 94.0, and rose 11.8 points to 110.5 for Hispanics. The composite Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all races and ethnicities, also increased in February, gaining 2.9 points to 107.1.
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for healthcare workers increased 2.4 points in February to 110.8. Increased hiring expectations and a greater sense of job satisfaction influenced the rise. The latest Index, however, is 2.6 points lower than last February’s reading of 113.4. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all sectors, climbed up 2.9 points to 107.1.
Confidence among IT professionals increased in January, as the group’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) rose 7.7 points to 112.3. Improved sentiments regarding finances, increased hiring expectations and less concern about job loss contributed to the rise. The latest reading is up almost eight points from last February’s 104.6. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all sectors, climbed up 2.9 points to 107.1.
Confidence among workers in the legal sector rebounded in February after two months of consecutive decline. The sector’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) skyrocketed 20.4 points to 119.9 in February, its highest reading since last February. The rise was primarily a result of workers feeling better about their finances and being more satisfied with their job. Despite the dramatic rise, the latest reading is more than two points lower than last February’s reading of 122.2.
After falling significantly in January, confidence among manufacturing workers rose in February, as the sector’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) increased 4.4 points to 94.5. Higher expectations around hiring coupled with improved sentiments about personal finances drove the uptick. The latest reading is 2.5 points higher than last February’s reading of 92.0. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all sectors, climbed up 2.9 points to 107.1 in February.
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Atlanta workers jumped 8.8 points to 119.1 in February.
