Business Insider (01/08/12)
The monthly economic data reported in the first week of 2012 was positive, although a few came in lighter than expectations. Construction spending, Institute for Supply Management manufacturing and services reports, factory orders, vehicle sales, and most importantly, payrolls, all were positive month over month. The ASA Staffing Index fell by seven points to 86 last week, but that is due to seasonality, and in fact, the index is back above year ago levels, after stagnating in mid-2011. Overall, the economic data show an ongoing solid, if not stellar, recovery.