Labor Markets Mixed Across Advanced Economies

August 7, 2014 Steady Improvement Builds In U.S., Uncertainty Continues In Europe Labor markets were mixed across the advanced economies, according to unemployment rates and employment growth data compiled and standardized by The Conference Board International Labor Comparisons (ILC) program for June 2014. Unemployment rates in June fell in three of the nine countries compared… Read more »

Synergy Savings Keep Climbing At Office Depot

August 5, 2014 Office Depot softened the blow of weak second quarter sales by bumping up the pace of 400 store closings to drive greater than expected operating profit growth and expense savings related to the merger with OfficeMax. Office Depot merged with Office Max last November and shortly thereafter announced plans to close 400… Read more »

CVS’s Portfolio Of Enterprise Assets Drives ‘Strong’ Q2 Performance

August 5, 2014 As today’s healthcare market continues to evolve, CVS Caremark’s portfolio of enterprise assets is enabling the company to provide innovative solutions and products that are delivering results, as evidenced by its “strong” second quarter results released Tuesday morning. “As the health care environment evolves we are uniquely positioned to address the quality,… Read more »

Whole Foods Keeps Growing, Just Not As Fast

July 30, 2014 Same-store sales continue to decelerate at Whole Foods as the nation’s leading natural and organic grocer continues to face traffic and ticket pressures caused by upstart rivals and established competitors. Whole Foods sales in the second quarter ended July 6 increased 10% to nearly $3.4 billion from $3 billion the prior year… Read more »

Target Issues Preliminary Q2 Update

August 5, 2014 Just a few days after naming a new CEO, Target issued a preliminary update on its second quarter expenses related, in part, to the December 2013 data breach. The company’s financial results are expected to include gross expenses of $148 million, partially offset by a $38 million insurance receivable, related to the… Read more »

July 2014 Manufacturing ISM Report On Business – PMI At 57.1%

August 1, 2014 New Orders, Employment and Production Growing; Inventories Growing; Supplier Deliveries Slowing Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in July for the 14th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 62nd consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report on Business. The report was issued… Read more »

Online Labor Demand Edged Down 15,500 In July

July 30, 2014 Following a strong June increase of 155,900, July showed a small loss States were mixed with about half showing small gains Online advertised vacancies showed a small drop of 15,500 to 5,044,600 in July, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine Data Services.  The June Supply/Demand rate stands at 1.9 unemployed… Read more »

The Conference Board Employment Trends Index Increased In July

August 4, 2014 The Conference Board Employment Trends Index (ETI) increased in July.  The index now stands at 120.31, up from 119.92 (an upward revision) in June.  This represents a 6.6 percent gain in the ETI compared to a year ago. “The six-month growth rate in the Employment Trends Index is the strongest in over… Read more »