Economists forecast slow but steady US hiring

(WASHINGTON) — A report Friday on April employment could show whether weak hiring in March marked a temporary lull or the fourth year in which a slumping economy has slowed job growth. Economists predict that the job gains likely improved on March’s 88,000 — the fewest in nine months. But the hiring isn’t expected to be much better. Most analysts think employers in April added more than 100,000 jobs but far fewer than the 196,000 that were added on average from September through February.

(WASHINGTON) — A report Friday on April employment could show whether weak hiring in March marked a temporary lull or the fourth year in which a slumping economy has slowed job growth. Economists predict that the job gains likely improved on March’s 88,000 — the fewest in nine months. But the hiring isn’t expected to be much better. Most analysts think employers in April added more than 100,000 jobs but far fewer than the 196,000 that were added on average from September through February.

TORONTO — Canadian employers expect the hiring climate to hold steady in the second quarter, dipping slightly from the previous quarter, according to an employment survey by Manpower Inc. The poll of 1,900 employers from various sectors found that 20% plan to hire workers in the three-month period from April to June. Five percent said they anticipate cutbacks to hiring, while 75% said they will keep existing staffing levels.

TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada likely added very few jobs in October after bumper back-to-back gains in the two prior months, with a more accurate picture of modest hiring expected to emerge when employment data is released on Friday, a Reuters poll showed. The economy is expected to have added just 5,000 new jobs in the month, after a thumping 52,100 additions in September, the median forecast of 23 economists showed. The unemployment rate is seen steady at 7.4 percent. The most optimistic forecaster saw 20,000 jobs being created, while the most pessimistic predicted a loss of 30,000 positions.

(WASHINGTON ) — U.S. companies likely hired at a modest pace in May for the third straight month, underscoring the slow but steady nature of the recovery. Economists forecast that employers added 158,000 jobs, according to a survey by FactSet. The unemployment rate is projected to remain 8.1 percent.

(WASHINGTON) — U.S. employers posted fewer job openings in March compared with February and slowed overall hiring, underscoring a weak month of job growth. The Labor Department said Tuesday that job openings fell 1.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted 3.8 million jobs. Total hiring declined 4.3 percent to 4.3 million. The unemployed faced heavy competition in March. There were 3.1 unemployed people, on average, for each job opening. That’s above the ratio of 2 to 1 that is typical in a healthy economy. (MORE: U.S.

(WASHINGTON) — U.S. employers posted fewer job openings in March compared with February and slowed overall hiring, underscoring a weak month of job growth. The Labor Department said Tuesday that job openings fell 1.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted 3.8 million jobs. Total hiring declined 4.3 percent to 4.3 million. The unemployed faced heavy competition in March. There were 3.1 unemployed people, on average, for each job opening. That’s above the ratio of 2 to 1 that is typical in a healthy economy. (MORE: U.S.

The risk of a new major (global) contraction cannot be ruled out OTTAWA — With global conditions weakening, Canada’s economy will remain in the slow growth lane until the middle of next year, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development predicts in a new forecast. The OECD projects Canada’s economy will grow by 1.5% in the final three months of this year, and advance only 1.8% in 2013.