ManpowerGroup reported revenues of $5.20 billion in the fourth quarter of 2019, down 3.6% (down 1.8% in constant currency) from $5.39 billion in the fourth quarter of 2018. Net earnings totaled $138.8 million, down 12.4% (down 10.4% in constant currency) from $158.3 million in the year-ago quarter. U.S. revenue totaled $626.8 million, down 0.9% (down 0.9% in constant currency) from $632.3 million on a year-to-year basis. U.S. operating unit profit fell 12.1% (down 12.1% in constant currency) to $28.8 million in the quarter. Financial results in the quarter were impacted by the stronger U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies compared with the prior-year period.

For all of 2019, revenue totaled $20.86 billion, down 5.1% (down 0.9% in constant currency) from $21.99 billion in 2018. Net earnings totaled $465.7 million, down 16.4% (down 13.3% in constant currency) from $556.7 million in the prior year. U.S. revenue totaled $2.51 billion, down 0.6% (down 0.6% in constant currency) from $2.52 billion on a year-to-year basis. U.S. operating unit profit fell 13.4% (down 13.4% in constant currency) to $113.2 million for the year.

“We executed well in a slow growth global economy,” said Jonas Prising, chairman and chief executive officer, adding that “we are excited to announce today’s launch of our new brand Talent Solutions, combining three of our current global offerings to leverage our deep expertise in RPO, Tapfin MSP, and Right Management. This is how we will continue to deliver new solutions and create added value that addresses our clients’ complex global workforce needs.”

Robert Half International reported revenues of $1.54 billion for the fourth quarter of 2019, up from $1.48 billion for the fourth quarter of 2018. Net income totaled $112.8 million, up from $113.6 million in the year-ago quarter. U.S. revenues rose 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with the same period last year, in constant currency and adjusted for billing days. U.S. temporary and consultant staffing revenues grew 3.2%, permanent placement revenues grew 3.2%, and Protiviti revenues grew 17.5%

For all of 2019, revenues totaled $6.07 billion, up from $5.80 billion in 2018. Net income totaled $454.4 million, up from $434.3 million the prior year.

“We ended 2019 with continued strength in the U.S. job market and solid demand for our professional staffing and consulting services,” said M. Keith Waddell, chief executive officer.

VillageMD, a national provider of primary care, and its affiliates, have signed an agreement to acquire Summit Medical Group of Arizona. Nearly 50 providers, including primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, will join VillageMD across six Arizona-based clinics in 2020. The clinics will be transitioned to VillageMD’s primary care Village Medical brand later this year.

Pittsburgh-based System One division Mountain Ltd., a global engineering services provider to the telecommunications industry, has acquired Level 5 Consulting Engineers, a wireless telecommunication architecture and engineering services provider. The acquisition enhances Mountain’s core capabilities, adding the ability to deliver structural engineering services with professional engineering licenses nationwide.

Despite the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years, employees aren’t seeing large increases in wages and benefits. The employment cost index advanced 0.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That was in line with the MarketWatch forecast.

The rise in wages and benefits in 2019 slowed to a 2.7% pace from a post 2008 recession high of 2.9% in 2018. Other measures of pay and benefits also indicate that the growth in compensation seems to have peaked.

Wages rose 0.7% in the fourth quarter, while benefits increased 0.5%. Wages and salaries have advanced 2.9% in the past 12 months, down from 3.1% in 2018. The increase in benefits slowed to a 2.2% annual rate from 2.8%.