Robert Half International News Release (10/21/14)

Robert Half International Inc. reported revenues of $1.22 billion for the third quarter of 2014, up 13.0% from $1.08 billion in the third quarter of 2013 (based on same billing days and constant currency). Net income totaled $85.2 million, up 28.3% from $66.4 million in the year-ago quarter.

U.S. revenues for the quarter were $807 million, up 14.6% year-over-year (based on same billing days and constant currency).

By segment, temporary and consultant staffing was up 13.0%, and permanent placement staffing was up 21.6%. Protiviti was up 19.9%.

“Demand for our staffing and consulting services accelerated in the third quarter, with all lines of business reporting double-digit, year-over-year revenue gains,” says Harold M. Messmer Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Robert Half. “The strength in our operations was broad based and included both U.S. and international locations.”

Mastech Holdings News Release (10/22/14)

Mastech Holdings Inc. reported revenues of $28.6 million for the third quarter of 2014, up 4% from $28.3 million in the third quarter of 2013. Net income totaled $879,000, compared with $999,000 in the year-ago quarter.

Bloomberg (10/22/14) Shobhana Chandra

The consumer-price index rose just 0.1% in September, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Eighty-four economists polled by Bloomberg had forecast no change. The core measure, which excludes fuel and food costs, also rose 0.1%.

“Inflation remains fairly subdued,” says Millan Mulraine, deputy head of U.S. research and strategy at TD Securities LLC in New York. “A lot of it is because of falling gasoline prices. With wage growth remaining weak, there’s hardly any catalyst for price pressures. It’s a positive for consumer spending.”

New York Times (10/20/14) Donald G. McNeil Jr.

Hospital workers who care for patients infected by Ebola should be aware of new guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new guidelines—which were reviewed by specialists at American hospitals—mirror the strict protocols used by Doctors Without Borders, says CDC executive director Thomas R. Frieden. The voluntary guidelines say that no skin should be left uncovered; street clothes and shoes should be replaced with waterproof fabric and boots; and every step of putting on and taking off equipment must be done under the eyes of a supervisor whose job it is to prevent mistakes. Rather than recommend the use of sprayed disinfectant for hospital workers, the guidelines call for the use of bleach wipes.