Haver Analytics
Haver Analytics
Global| Mar 05 2015

Challenger Job Cut Announcements Dip

Summary

The outplacement firm of Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that job cut announcements during February slipped to 50,579 (+20.9% y/y) following a jump to 53,041 in January. Layoffs fell m/m in the automotive, chemical, commodities, [...]


The outplacement firm of Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that job cut announcements during February slipped to 50,579 (+20.9% y/y) following a jump to 53,041 in January. Layoffs fell m/m in the automotive, chemical, commodities, computer, construction, electronics, energy, financial, food, industrial goods, media and telecommunication industries. Layoffs rose in the aerospace/defense, apparel, consumer products, education, entertainment/leisure, government, health care, insurance, pharmaceutical, real estate, retail, services, transportation and utility industries.

During the last ten years there has been a 68% correlation between the level of job cut announcements and the m/m change in payroll employment.

Challenger also samples firms' hiring plans. Hiring increased in February to 14,574 (31.8% y/y) from 8,774 in January. Jobs rose in the aerospace/defense, automotive, construction, financial, media and transportation industries. Hiring declined in the apparel, chemical, computer, electronics, entertainment/leisure, food, health care, industrial goods, insurance, pharmaceutical, services and telecommunication industries.

The Challenger figures are available in Haver's SURVEYS database.

Challenger, Gray & Christmas

Feb Jan Dec Y/Y % 2014 2013 2012

Announced Job Cuts

50,579 53,041 32,640 20.9 483,171 509,051 523,362

Announced Hiring Plans

14,574 8,774 7,332 31.8 821,506 764,206 630,447
  • Prior to joining Haver Analytics in 2000, Mr. Moeller worked as the Economist at Chancellor Capital Management from 1985 to 1999. There, he developed comprehensive economic forecasts and interpreted economic data for equity and fixed income portfolio managers. Also at Chancellor, Mr. Moeller worked as an equity analyst and was responsible for researching and rating companies in the economically sensitive automobile and housing industries for investment in Chancellor’s equity portfolio.   Prior to joining Chancellor, Mr. Moeller was an Economist at Citibank from 1979 to 1984.   He also analyzed pricing behavior in the metals industry for the Council on Wage and Price Stability in Washington, D.C.   In 1999, Mr. Moeller received the award for most accurate forecast from the Forecasters' Club of New York. From 1990 to 1992 he was President of the New York Association for Business Economists.   Mr. Moeller earned an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University, where he graduated in 1987. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from George Washington University.

    More in Author Profile »

More Economy in Brief