Indications From The Conference Board

We react to the October jobs report and then discuss the Top 10 Pandemic Job Market Trends. The U.S. economy and labor market are experiencing a very unusual recession. As the fallout from COVID-19 continues, we identify the biggest trends involving the U.S. job market that business leaders should be aware of. Join our panel of economists from The Conference Board—Gad Levanon, Vice President Labor Markets, Elizabeth Crofoot, Senior Economist, and Frank Steemers, Economist—as they explain the following critical COVID-induced trends: 1. After a summer hiring sprint, job gains are slowing 2. It is still difficult to find qualified workers 3. People are leaving the labor force 4. Goods and services have switched places 5. A k-shaped recovery is playing out in labor metrics 6. Salary cuts and wage bifurcation are likely to continue 7. Remote work is now en vogue 8. City centers are in deep recession 9. The coasts shouldered the brunt of job cuts 10. Large metro areas and vacation destinations were hardest hit R

This podcast was recorded on November 5, before most news organizations called the US presidential election for Joe Biden, and before Biden himself claimed victory. Nick Redman, Director of Analysis, Oxford Analytica, Dana Petersen, Chief Economist, The Conference Board and David Kelly, Chief Global Strategist, J.P. Morgan discuss the choices facing the next administration. The panel did not start from the certainty that Biden would become president.

The just released Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® declined slightly in October, after increasing sharply in September.  While consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved, expectations declined due to the short-term job outlook. Join this podcast with Conference Board Chief Economist Dana Peterson and Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators to understand the story behind the numbers and what our experts foresee for the final months of 2020.

We react to the September jobs report and then discuss the Post-COVID US Labor Market and what we can we expect in 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic and reduced consumption due to social distancing is driving the deepest economic recession since the Great Depression. As consumers remain reluctant to spend and as layoff announcements pick up, US employment will be slow to recover to pre-pandemic levels in the near term.   But eventually, a vaccine will be found, and the fear of the virus will dissipate. How different will the US economy and labor market look five years from now?   Join our panel of economists from The Conference Board—Gad Levanon, Vice President Labor Markets, Elizabeth Crofoot, Senior Economist, and Frank Steemers, Economist—as they address the following critical questions:   What are the main COVID-19 related economic trends that will impact the US economy and labor market in the long-term? What will be the most disrupted US industries and occupations by 2025? How will the growing shift to online

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index increased 15.5 points for September. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, a special mid-year edition of the annual C-Suite Challenge Survey focused on the long-term impacts business executives expect as the likely legacy of the pandemic. In this podcast, we discuss how executives in Europe are more engaged in rethinking the role of business in society, the future of globalization, and the higher interest in the new normal of remote work. 

An update on the state of labor markets in the US and Europe. How many people have lost their job and what is the outlook? In which occupations and industries have job losses been the largest? What are the main differences between labor markets in the US and Europe? A follow up on our previous podcast on international labor markets.

We react to the August jobs report and then discuss compensation trends and why the wage crunch might be delayed. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, organizations have taken several workforce cost reduction measures, including cutting wages and salaries. In addition, with revenues under pressure and many people out of work, employers are entering a new era where wage growth may hit a historical low. So, how should business and HR leaders respond? Join our panel of The Conference Board economists, Gad Levanon, Vice President Labor Markets, Elizabeth Crofoot, Senior Economist Labor Markets, and Frank Steemers, Economist, to learn more. After this podcast, viewers will be able to answer the following critical questions: What are the main insights from the August jobs report? How has COVID-19 affected wages and salaries? Why the wage crunch may be delayed and not be visible yet in 2020? What will happen to salary increase budgets? How will a loose labor market over the next few years affect wage growth? What will be

Consumer Confidence declined for the second consecutive month and now stands at 84.8 down from 91.7 in July. The Present Situation Index decreased sharply, while pessimism about the short-term outlook continued to grow. Concerns amongst consumers about the economic outlook and their financial well-being will likely cause spending to cool in the months ahead. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index

We react to the July jobs report and then address the monumental shift to remote work because of COVID-19. Pandemic-related restrictions mean a large share of American workers are working entirely from home. Even after full vaccination, with the economy at full capacity, teleworking rates are likely to remain well above pre-pandemic rates, with major workforce and real estate implications. Many organizations struggle with this significant change as workers continue to adapt to this new way of working by themselves (remotely) or with their teams.  Further, increased telework means that much of consumer spending will shift from city centers to the places where people live. As consumption patterns change, businesses with a large footprint in city centers will be hardest hit. Our panel of Conference Board experts, Gad Levanon, Vice President Labor Markets, Amy Abel, Vice President Human Capital, and Elizabeth Crofoot, Senior Economist Labor Markets, discuss the following topics: In which metro areas and occupati

The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence™ in collaboration with The Business Council rose slightly in Q3. The measure saw a one-point uptick, up from 44 in Q2 to 45 in Q3. (A reading below 50 points reflects more negative than positive responses.) Without substantial containment of COVID-19, widespread uncertainty will continue being the dominant cloud hanging over America’s CEO community. The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence

Margaret Murphy, Digital Media Programme Manager at the Conference Board, interviews our resident Senior Economist for Europe, Ilaria Maselli about the consumer confidence results in Europe for Q2. In 2020 Q2, European consumer confidence saw its largest quarterly decline in the history of the series, driven by near record pessimism about job prospects over the next 12 months. On the whole, 74 percent of European consumers indicated that job prospects were “not so good” or “bad” in 2020 Q2 compared to 56 percent in Q1. Three factors will determine a possible recovery in confidence: the evolution of the pandemic, the end of the furlough schemes that have  been supporting jobs and incomes until now, and trust in government initiatives.

Large declines were experienced in Michigan, Florida, Texas and California, a result of the resurgence of COVID-19. Looking ahead, consumers have grown less optimistic about the short-term outlook for the economy and labor market and remain subdued about their financial prospects. Such uncertainty about the short-term future does not bode well for the recovery, nor for consumer spending.

We react to the June jobs report and then address the impact of COVID-19 on US workers and households. For many, their economic situation has done a complete 180 since the emergence of the virus. In a previously tight labor market, unemployment rates were at record lows, wages were accelerating, and job satisfaction was rising. The improvement in labor market conditions, especially for blacks, Hispanics, and workers with lower earnings and education, had led to a reduction in poverty rates and wage inequality. But the COVID-19 crisis is hitting vulnerable populations especially hard and will likely lead to a reversal of these trends. Our panel of Conference Board experts, Gad Levanon, Head of the Labor Markets Institute, Elizabeth Crofoot, Senior Economist, and Frank Steemers, Economist discuss the following topics: • The industries and occupations that have been most impacted by COVID-19 • The characteristics of US workers that have suffered the most job losses, by age, gender, race, average wage, and edu

On The Sherman Show Podcast, The Conference Board's Bart van Ark and Erik Lundh discuss various aspects of how the US economy is faring amid COVID-19, including Consumer Confidence and their US economic forecast. For more of The Sherman Show podcasts, please visit: https://doubleline.com/podcasts/  

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index sees its biggest rise this month since 2011, yet still remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels. The index reveals consumers are less pessimistic about the short-term outlook, but fear an uneven and uncertain economic recovery amid virus concerns. Join Chief Economist Bart van Ark, and Senior Director of Economic Indicators, Lynn Franco, as they discuss the monthly numbers.

A large share of the world population is in lockdown right now. The speed and depth of the downturn we are experiencing are unprecedented and, inevitably, this will have an impact on labor markets. What do we know about unemployment so far in US and Europe? What industries or workers groups are more affected? How are companies dealing with shortages in some sectors? And, will we see productivity growth increasing as unexpected but positive impact of this crisis? These are the questions we deal with in this podcast.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index weakened considerably in April, following a steep decline in March. Join Chief Economist Bart van Ark, and  Senior Director of Economic Indicators, Lynn Franco, as they discuss the monthly numbers and a surprising improvement in consumers’ short-term outlook.

President and CEO of The Conference Board, Steve Odland, discusses how COVID-19 is impacting CEOs' views about the state and trajectory of the US economy and business environment. 

Amid the fallout from COVID-19, confidence among US CEOs has declined sharply. Join this podcast with Conference Board CEO Steve Odland and Chief Economist Bart van Ark to learn what the newest numbers show, and whether there is any optimism for the future.