ASA Weekly Staffing Index Holds Steady at 100 for Second Straight Week, First Time Since May 2008

The American Staffing Association Index, a weekly barometer of temporary and contract employment, and a key coincident economic indicator and a leading indicator of total U.S. nonfarm employment, held steady at 100 in the week ending October 3 (see chart above).  According to the ASA:

"During the week of Sept. 27–Oct. 3, 2010, temporary and contract employment remained unchanged (-0.03%), maintaining the ASA Staffing Index at a value of 100. At a current index value of 100, U.S. staffing employment is 45% higher than the level reported for the first week of the current year and is 23% higher than the same weekly period in 2009."

MP: This is the first time since May 2008, almost two-and-a-half years ago, of two consecutive weeks of an ASA Index at 100.