Arrow Strategies News Release (05/22/14)

Bingham Farms, MI-based staffing firm Arrow Strategies has acquired the controlling interest of Clinton Township, MI-based recruiting firm Hire Talent.

Conference Board News Release (05/27/14)

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had decreased in April, improved moderately in May. The index now stands at 83.0, up from 81.7 in April. The Present Situation Index increased to 80.4 from 78.5, while the Expectations Index edged up to 84.8 from 83.9.

“Consumer confidence improved slightly in May, as consumers assessed current conditions, in particular the labor market, more favorably. Expectations regarding the short-term outlook for the economy, jobs, and personal finances were also more upbeat,” says Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at the Conference Board.

Consumers claiming jobs are “plentiful” rose to 14.1% from 13.0%, while those claiming jobs are “hard to get” decreased slightly to 32.3% from 32.8%. Those anticipating more jobs in the months ahead increased to 15.4% from 14.7%, while those anticipating fewer jobs edged up to 18.3% from 18.0%.

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (05/22/14)

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s May Manufacturing Survey showed solid expansion in 10th district manufacturing activity. The month-to-month composite index was 10 in May, up from 7 in April and equal to 10 in March. “This was the third straight month of solid growth at factories in the region, following some weather-related weakness in previous months,” says Chad Wilkerson, vice president and economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. “More factories than in recent surveys were also able to raise selling prices.”