What Does the Demand for Temporary Help Suggest About a Recession?

Demand for temporary help is rolling over on a seasonally-adjusted basis as it did in four prior recessions. That's as far back as this data series goes.

Temporary Help Change From Year Ago Thousands of Persons 

Temporary Help Percent Change From Year Ago 

On an unadjusted basis demand for temporary help is down from a year ago. 

There was no lead time warning for the recession that started in August of 1990 but there was lead time for the 2001 and 2008 recessions. 

Given a slew of other recessionary data, don't expect any lead time now.

Related Articles 

• What Do Real Income and Spending Suggest About Recession Timing?
• Signs Say Industrial Production Has Peaked and so a Recession is Imminent
• December Was Another Retail Sales Disaster, Even Worse With Negative Revisions
• Existing Home Sales Decline for the Eleventh Straight Month

Not to Worry, Jobs are Strong

This post originated at MishTalk.Com.

For a Wonderland debate over the strength of the economy, please see Alice Debates the Mad Hatter and the Red Queen on Timing the Recession.

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