Conference Board News Release (10/06/14)

The Conference Board Employment Trends Index increased in September. The index now stands at 121.68, up from an upwardly revised 121.32 in August. This represents a 6.1% gain in the ETI compared with a year ago.

“The [ETI] increased for the ninth consecutive month, signaling solid job growth through year end,” says Gad Levanon, director of macroeconomic research at the Conference Board. “A combination of positive and negative forces has been driving the rapid decline in the unemployment rate in recent years. Hiring is strong, but productivity growth is weak, and the participation rate continues to decline. None show signs of reversing.”