Planned Layoffs At Lowest Level Since April

Layoff announcements cooled in September, down nearly 12,000 from the prior month and at 41,577 the lowest level since April. Yet layoffs in retail remain heavy as they have all year though layoffs among industrial goods manufacturers, a sector being hurt by slowing global trade and related declines in business investment, were also heavy in the month. Overall, however, today's report does point to improved conditions in September's labor market which is a positive indication for tomorrow's employment report.