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February 11, 2008

Discover (R) U.S. Spending Monitor (SM) Drops Four Points

With the passing of the holiday shopping season, consumers are expecting to scale back their spending in January, as ratings of the economy and their personal finances worsened.

February 6, 2008

Hudson Index: State & Local Summary

The Hudson Employment Index (SM), which measures the workforce’s overall confidence in the employment market, saw six out of eleven major cities remain steady or increase in worker confidence.

February 6, 2008

Hudson Index: Industry Sector Summary

Worker confidence, as measured by the monthly Hudson Employment Index (SM), decreased in four out of seven industry sectors in January 2008. Confidence among African Americans suffered the biggest drop, plummeting 19.6 points to 67.5, the lowest of all the January readings.

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February 5, 2008

60% Think Microsoft-Yahoo Takeover Would be Good for the Economy

A recent Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that most adults believe that a Microsoft-Yahoo takeover would be good for the economy. Sixty-percent (60%) share this view, while only 6% disagree and 33% are not sure.

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February 1, 2008

Financial Concerns Hurt Atlanta Worker Confidence

The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Atlanta fell for the third consecutive month in January, dropping 1.8 points 91.7. Financial concerns and decreased job satisfaction drove the decline. The city’s latest reading of worker sentiment is 18.6 points lower than last January’s Index of 110.3. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

FL Worker Confidence Starts to Bounce Back in January

Following two consecutive months of dramatic drops, the Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Florida rose 2.7 points to 93.4 in January. Fewer expected job cuts and a stronger sense of job security helped boost workers’ morale. Nevertheless, Florida’s latest measure of worker confidence is nearly 25 points lower than last January’s 118.3. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

PA Worker Confidence Registers Third Straight Drop in January

Worker confidence in Pennsylvania fell for the third consecutive month in January, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) decreased 7.1 points to an all-time low of 81.6. Weaker hiring expectations and less confidence in personal finances triggered the decline. The state’s measure of worker confidence is nearly 20 points shy of last January’s 100.1. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

Boston Worker Confidence Remains Low to Start 2008

The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Boston held steady in January, slipping just 0.1 points to 91.9. Improved perceptions of workers’ finances were offset by less confidence around hiring and job security. The current measure of worker confidence is well below last January’s reading of 98.0. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

Accounting & Finance Workers' Confidence Rebounds After Months of Decline

After five consecutive months of declining numbers, confidence among accounting and finance workers began rebounding in January, as the group’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) rose 3.3 points to 96.0. Increased job security and better hiring expectations contributed to the up-tick. The Index for accounting & finance workers was 119.8 last January. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all occupations, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

Financial Concerns Rise Among Manufacturing Workers

Confidence among manufacturing workers declined for the third consecutive month in January, as the sector’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) dropped 2.2 points to 77.4. Financial concerns helped drive the decline. In contrast, the Index for manufacturing workers was more than 11 points stronger last January, when it registered 88.9. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all occupations, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

Hispanic Worker Confidence Improves; African American Confidence Plunges

The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Hispanics rose 1.8 points to 85.4 in January. Conversely, the monthly measure of worker confidence for African Americans plummeted 19.6 points to 67.5. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers from all races and ethnicities, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

Hiring Plans Fall to Record Low in Dallas-Ft. Worth

Worker confidence sank in Dallas-Ft. Worth in January, as the market’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) fell 5.7 points to 103.7. Record low hiring plans and more layoff expectations triggered the decline. Dallas-Ft. Worth’s latest measure of worker confidence falls short of last January’s 106.1. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

Worker Confidence Rebounds in Chicago to Start Year

Following two consecutive dramatic drops, the Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Chicago rose 7.5 points to 86.0. Fewer job security fears and improving perceptions of personal finances contributed to the increase. Nevertheless, the Windy City’s measure of worker confidence is well below last January’s 92.4. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

Layoff Plans Trouble Texas Workers in January

Worker confidence waned in Texas in January, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) slipped 1.2 points to 113.1. The current measure of worker confidence for the Lone Star State falls shy of last January’s 120.3. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

January Brings Fifth Drop in Ohio Worker Confidence

Ohio worker confidence waned again in December, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) registered its fifth consecutive decline. The measure of worker confidence fell 7.7 points in January to 83.9. In comparison, Ohio’s Index was 100.4 last January. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

Hiring Expectations Fall to Record Low in Philadelphia

Worker confidence held steady in Philadelphia in January, as the city’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) edged up just .1 point to 76.5. The measure of worker confidence for Philadelphia was significantly higher one year earlier, when it registered 91.6. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

Legal Workers’ Confidence Plunges in January

Legal workers were feeling less confident in the New Year, as the group’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) plummeted 10.4 points to 93.5.Concerns over finances and job security contributed to the decline, along with decreased hiring expectations. The Index for the legal sector was 98.6 last January. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all occupations, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

D.C. Worker Confidence Spikes in January, Bucks National Trend

During a month when most parts of the country saw worker confidence remain low, if not drop, the Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Washington, D.C. climbed 13.1 points to 106.8. All factors contributing to the Index reading improved in January to bring about this month’s increase. However, the latest measure of worker confidence for the nation’s capital falls short of last January’s 108.2. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

NYC Worker Confidence Falls to Record Low

The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for New York City slipped 7.5 points to a record low of 76.8 in January. Concerns over finances and job security triggered the decline. NYC’s latest measure of worker confidence is 13.5 points below last January’s 90.3. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0.

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February 1, 2008

IT Workers’ Confidence Declines for Fourth Straight Month

IT worker confidence waned for the fourth consecutive month in January, as the group’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) fell 8.8 points to 91.0. Lower hiring expectations and financial concerns triggered the drop. The Index for IT Workers was 103.4 last January. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, held steady at 89.0