Online Labor Demand Increased in February

Staff Report

Thursday, March 7th, 2019

The Conference Board experimental Help Wanted OnLine Index increased in February. The Index now stands at 104.0 (July 2018=100), up from 103.7 in January.  

"The HWOL index has been stable in recent months, despite the volatility in financial markets and business confidence. This is consistent with solid employment growth in the coming months," said Gad Levanon, Chief Economist, North America, at The Conference Board. "With the partial government shutdown ending, US-China trade tensions diminishing, and the recovery in stock prices, the US economy is much less likely to experience a major slowdown in the first half of 2019. We expect a gradual moderation in economic employment growth during 2019. Recruitment activity is likely to remain high as labor turnover will further increase in a tightening labor market."