After a jump in March, worker confidence among accounting and finance workers dropped in April, as the group’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) slid 17.6 points to 104.0. More workers saying their finances are getting worse and decreased job satisfaction had the greatest impact on the fall. The latest reading for this group of workers is 6.8 points lower than last April’s reading of 110.8.
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for New York City held steady in April, slipping just .3 points from its record high to 98.7. The latest monthly measure of worker confidence for the Big Apple is about nine points higher than last April’s 89.6. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, fell 1.5 points in April to 107.5.
After a substantial jump in March, the Hudson Employment Index (SM) for San Francisco recorded a minimal gain of .8 points to 107.3 in April. Improved financial sentiments were offset by less expected hiring and more expected layoffs. The city’s latest measure of worker confidence is stronger than last April’s 105.8. The composite Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, fell 1.5 points to 107.5 in April.
Worker confidence in Minneapolis-St. Paul cooled from a record high in April, as the Hudson Employment Index (SM) for the Twin Cities fell 7.2 points to 106.9. All factors contributing to the measure of worker confidence declined; however the latest reading is well above last Aprils’ 98.9.
Worker confidence in Philadelphia continued climbing in April, as the city’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) jumped 9.9 points to 108.6. This marks the city’s sixth consecutive month of improved employee sentiment. Greater hiring expectations coupled with improved perceptions of finances triggered the latest rise. Philadelphia’s most recent Index is well above last April’s reading of 102.6. In sharp contrast, the composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, fell 1.5 points in April to 107.5.
Florida workers felt less confident in April, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) fell one point to 120.1.
Ohio worker confidence fell in April, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) slid 6.4 points to 99.1. Almost all factors contributing to the Index recorded negative movement. The state’s latest Index is also lower than last April, when it was 100.4. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across the country, fell 1.5 points to 107.5 in April.
Americans are evenly divided as to why Congress is subpoenaing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about pre-war intelligence.
Seventy-seven percent (77%) of adult Americans are at least somewhat confident that their grocery food is safe, but only 27% are Very Confident.
Worker confidence in California decreased in April as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) fell 2.7 points to 110.2. An increase in expected layoffs and less job satisfaction drove the decline, but were offset by greater hiring expectations. California’s latest Index is also below last April’s reading of 115.1. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across the country, fell 1.5 points to 107.5 in April.
Worker confidence fell in Washington, DC, as the city’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) descended 1.3 points to 108.1 in April. A decrease in hiring expectations and concern over job loss contributed to the fall. The city’s latest measure of worker confidence is down substantially from last April, when DC’s Index registered 118.4. The composite Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, fell 1.5 points to 107.5 in April.
Confidence among manufacturing workers dropped in April as the sector’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) fell 4.4 points to 94.4. Increased worry over job loss and decreased job satisfaction drove the decline. The latest reading is virtually unchanged from last April’s reading of 95.1. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all sectors, fell 1.5 points to 107.5 in April.
Rising for the third consecutive month, the Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Dallas climbed 5.9 points to a record high of 123.9 in April. The city’s latest measure of worker confidence is dramatically higher than one year ago, when it was just 102.1. In contrast, the composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, fell 1.5 points in April to 107.5.
Boston workers’ confidence took another hit this April as the city’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) dropped 3.1 points to 94.2. Heightened financial concerns contributed to the second consecutive decline in the monthly measure of worker confidence. Boston’s latest Index is nearly 10 points shy of its April 2006 reading of 103.7. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, also fell 1.5 points in April to 107.5.
Confidence among workers in the legal sector jumped in April as the sector’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) increased 9.9 points to 123.0.
Confidence among IT professionals skyrocketed in April, as the group’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) jumped 12.9 points to 122.6. An increase in expected hiring, decrease in expected layoffs and greater job satisfaction drove the rise. The latest reading is also up 12.7 points from last April’s reading of 109.9. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all sectors, fell 1.5 points to 107.5 in April.
Confidence among Texas workers waned, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) dropped 5.7 points to 125.6 in April. A decrease in job satisfaction coupled with worsened financial sentiments drove the fall. The latest reading is up from last April’s Index of 119.0. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across the country, fell 1.5 points to 107.5 in April.
The number of people identifying themselves as Republicans has fallen to a new low. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of 15,000 adults in April found that just 31.0% now say they belong to the Grand Old Party.
A year ago, many Beltway pundits were stunned when May Day protests for illegal immigrants failed to move public policy in the expected manner.
Worker confidence edged lower in April, as the Hudson Employment Index (SM) fell 1.5 points to 107.5. Despite the decline, the April figure is among the highest from the past year. Financial concerns and lower levels of job satisfaction triggered the drop.
