Conference Board News Release (05/07/12)

The Conference Board Employment Trends Index increased 0.8% in April to 108.04, up from the revised figure of 107.18 in March. The April figure is 7.1% higher than a year ago. April’s increase in the ETI was driven by positive contributions from five of the eight components, including employees hired by the temporary help industry.

“The growth in the Employment Trends Index in recent months is signaling moderate improvements in employment,” says Gad Levanon, director of macroeconomic research at the Conference Board. “We did not expect employment growth in December to February, averaging almost 250,000 a month, to continue. However, the disappointing job gain in April (115,000) is probably below the current trend and should pick up to about 150,000-175,000 jobs a month through the summer.”