Comment on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation Report: Kathy Bostjancic, Director of Macroeconomic Analysis, The Conference Board
NEW YORK, June 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Faltering Job Growth for a Third Straight Month
May's 69,000 gain in jobs is the third and biggest disappointment so far. This adds significant downside risk to the economic forecast for the next couple of quarters. The only positive sign is that consumer spending is stronger than in 2011, and housing is less of a drag on economic growth. But going forward, wage growth will be at least as important as job growth. Any pickup in wages will put a floor beneath consumer sentiment and spending. This could, in turn, fuel moderate employment gains in "core" services (which excludes health and education). On the other hand, if consumers lose hope in improved job and income prospects ahead, they are likely to start paring discretionary spending — thereby further prolonging the period of weak labor gains and soft overall economic growth.
About The Conference Board
The Conference Board is a global, independent business membership and research association working in the public interest. Our mission is unique: To provide the world's leading organizations with the practical knowledge they need to improve their performance and better serve society. The Conference Board is a non-advocacy, not-for-profit entity holding 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org
SOURCE The Conference Board
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