By Betsy Vereckey, AP Business Writer
CHICAGO (AP) — Results from a new economic survey may ease concerns about rising unemployment and its effect on consumer spending, as forecasters say more employers appear willing to hire in the coming months.
The latest quarterly survey from the National Association for Business Economics shows that unemployment is moderating. It also signals an improved hiring outlook over the next six months, which may help alleviate worries that the nation's unemployment rate will continue to jump and constrict consumer spending, the main driver of the U.S. economy.
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The jobless rate currently stands at 9.8% and is estimated to rise above 10% this year or early next year. But William Strauss, a senior economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, said that companies appear more willing to hire employees.
"Job losses have been moderating with an improved outlook for hiring over the next six months," Strauss said.
Responses from 78 NABE members working for the private sector and industry trade associations showed that the percentage of firms adding jobs doubled to 12% in October from an all-time low of 6% in July. Job losses appear to be slowly abating with the percentage of firms cutting payrolls falling to 31% from 36%, the survey said.
Twenty-four percent of those surveyed said they expect employment to rise over the next six months, compared with 18% in July.
While 56% expect no change in employment, only 4% of respondents expect more layoffs, down sharply from 11% in July, according to the survey.
Meanwhile, none of the respondents expect negative gross domestic product growth next year. However, growth isn't expected to rebound sharply, with about 55% of respondents expecting real GDP will rise no more than 2% in 2010.
