AMN Healthcare Services News Release (05/01/14)

AMN Healthcare Services Inc. reported revenues of $240.9 million for the first quarter of 2014, down 4% from $252.1 million in the first quarter of 2013. The company reported net income of $7.63 million, up 1% from $7.56 million in the year-ago quarter.

First-quarter revenue totaled $163 million for its nurse and allied health care staffing segment, down 8% from $177 million; $67 million for its locum tenens staffing segment, up 2% from $65 million; and $11 million for its physician permanent placement services segment, up 7% from $10 million.

“Lower hospital census, combined with cost pressures and weather impacts, resulted in more cautious buying behavior and temporary staff utilization during the first quarter,” said Susan R. Salka, AMN president and chief executive officer.

Insperity Inc. News Release (05/02/14)

Insperity Inc. reported revenues of $637 million for the first quarter of 2014, up 4.1% from $611.8 million in the first quarter of 2013. The company’s net income totaled $9.6 million, down 27.4% from $13.2 million in the year-ago quarter.

Wall Street Journal (05/01/14) Jeffrey Sparshott; Kathleen Madigan

The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index increased to 54.9 in April from 53.7 in March. Corporate purchasing managers in 17 of the 18 industries surveyed reported growth, although the production index saw a slight drop and the new-orders index remained flat. There continues to be persistently weak demand among consumers despite this positive trend, and respondents say they are worried about the impact of economic and political strife such as the growing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Associated Press (05/01/14)

This winter’s cold-weather economic slowdown appears to be thawing. Construction rose 0.2% in March after a 0.2% drop in February, putting construction at a seasonally adjusted rate of $942.5 billion, an 8.4% increase since last year, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Spending on residential construction is at its strongest since May 2008, with apartment spending up 4.3% in March and single-family home spending up 0.2%.