The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine Index rose in December and now stands at 102.4, up from 101.7 in November. The index declined 0.3% from the prior month and is down 2.0% from a year ago. The professional occupational category experienced increases in community and social services (2.0%), health care practitioners (1.8%), architecture and engineering (1.0%), and computer and mathematical science (0.7%). The services and production occupational category experienced increases in farming, fishing, and forestry (3.9%), building and grounds (3.6%), health care support (2.5%), and personal care and service (1.4%).