Jobless claims dip in latest sign of job market improvement
By Karen Lentz Initial unemployment insurance claims for the week ended March 11 trickled down to an advance figure of 241,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week’s seasonally adjusted unrevised level of 243,000, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday. The numbers remain below pre-recession levels, pointing to continued gains for the economy. […]
DeVry stock poised for further gains, despite declining enrollment
By Karen Lentz Shares of Downers Grove-based career college chain DeVry Education Group Inc. have soared nearly 40 percent since the presidential election in November, and analysts see more opportunity ahead for investors. Shares closed Tuesday at $33, after getting a bump last week from the March 6 U.S. Department of Education announcement that gainful […]
February job gains point to strengthening economy
By Karen Lentz The unemployment rate edged down to 4.7 percent in February, as 235,000 jobs were added during the month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The rate is a slight drop from 4.8 percent in January, indicating continued movement toward recovery from the 2007-2009 recession. The biggest job gains occurred in […]
Korn/Ferry swings to profit
By Karen Lentz Los Angeles-based executive search firm Korn/Ferry International reported $23.9 million, or 42 cents per diluted share, in third-quarter earnings Monday, rebounding from a loss of $16 million, or 30 cents per diluted share, in the same quarter last year. Korn/Ferry reported adjusted earnings per share of 53 cents, based on an exclusion […]
Illinois grapples with rise in contingent workforce
By Karen Lentz A bill under consideration in the Illinois legislature is drawing attention to a growing trend in today’s workforce: employers meeting long-term staffing needs by contracting with employment companies and temporary work agencies. A contract company may handle a range of hiring tasks including recruitment, training, payroll, benefits, and other typical human resources […]
Japan’s rail system thrives
By Karen Lentz Photo at top: Japan Railway Group’s lines provide vital passenger service to Japan’s population of 126 million. (Karen Lentz/MEDILL)
Manpower’s fourth quarter revenue stalls on U.S. weakness
By Karen Lentz Milwaukee-based Manpower Group Inc. Tuesday reported a 2.8 percent rise in fourth quarter profit and virtually flat revenues that were adversely impacted by the strong U.S. dollar. The global staffing firm, whose results can provide an early indication of what’s to come for the economy, reported net income of $127.4 million, or […]
Illinois loses jobs in December
By Karen Lentz The state unemployment rate increased to 5.7 percent in December, 0.1 percentage point above 5.6 in November, and one percentage point above the national rate of 4.7 percent, according to seasonally adjusted preliminary data released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The preliminary data shows a higher unemployment rate for […]
Economists upbeat on Trump economy
By Karen Lentz and Yifang (Evonne) Liu The U.S. economy ended 2016 in a better place than it started, and despite some concerns, economists remain optimistic for continued positive results under the incoming Trump administration. A panel of financial experts shared their forecasts for the economy, the markets, interest rates and regulatory changes that are […]
