We react to the October jobs report and then discuss the Top 10 Pandemic Job Market Trends. The U.S. economy and labor market are experiencing a very unusual recession. As the fallout from COVID-19 continues, we identify the biggest trends involving the U.S. job market that business leaders should be aware of. Join our panel of economists from The Conference Board—Gad Levanon, Vice President Labor Markets, Elizabeth Crofoot, Senior Economist, and Frank Steemers, Economist—as they explain the fol...
Nov 18, 2020•27 min•Season 3Ep. 29
This podcast was recorded on November 5, before most news organizations called the US presidential election for Joe Biden, and before Biden himself claimed victory. Nick Redman, Director of Analysis, Oxford Analytica, Dana Petersen, Chief Economist, The Conference Board and David Kelly, Chief Global Strategist, J.P. Morgan discuss the choices facing the next administration. The panel did not start from the certainty that Biden would become president.
Nov 10, 2020•27 min•Season 3Ep. 28
The just released Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® declined slightly in October, after increasing sharply in September. While consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved, expectations declined due to the short-term job outlook. Join this podcast with Conference Board Chief Economist Dana Peterson and Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators to understand the story behind the numbers and what our experts foresee for the final months of 2020....
Nov 02, 2020•8 min•Season 3Ep. 27
We react to the September jobs report and then discuss the Post-COVID US Labor Market and what we can we expect in 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic and reduced consumption due to social distancing is driving the deepest economic recession since the Great Depression. As consumers remain reluctant to spend and as layoff announcements pick up, US employment will be slow to recover to pre-pandemic levels in the near term. But eventually, a vaccine will be found, and the fear of the virus will dissipate. ...
Oct 13, 2020•28 min•Season 3Ep. 26
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index increased 15.5 points for September. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index.
Sep 29, 2020•12 min•Season 3Ep. 25
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, a special mid-year edition of the annual C-Suite Challenge Survey focused on the long-term impacts business executives expect as the likely legacy of the pandemic. In this podcast, we discuss how executives in Europe are more engaged in rethinking the role of business in society, the future of globalization, and the higher interest in the new normal of remote work.
Sep 28, 2020•28 min•Season 3Ep. 24
An update on the state of labor markets in the US and Europe. How many people have lost their job and what is the outlook? In which occupations and industries have job losses been the largest? What are the main differences between labor markets in the US and Europe? A follow up on our previous podcast on international labor markets.
Sep 23, 2020•39 min•Season 3Ep. 23
We react to the August jobs report and then discuss compensation trends and why the wage crunch might be delayed. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, organizations have taken several workforce cost reduction measures, including cutting wages and salaries. In addition, with revenues under pressure and many people out of work, employers are entering a new era where wage growth may hit a historical low. So, how should business and HR leaders respond? Join our panel of The Conference Board economists, G...
Sep 17, 2020•32 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Consumer Confidence declined for the second consecutive month and now stands at 84.8 down from 91.7 in July. The Present Situation Index decreased sharply, while pessimism about the short-term outlook continued to grow. Concerns amongst consumers about the economic outlook and their financial well-being will likely cause spending to cool in the months ahead. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index
Aug 25, 2020•11 min•Season 3Ep. 22
We react to the July jobs report and then address the monumental shift to remote work because of COVID-19. Pandemic-related restrictions mean a large share of American workers are working entirely from home. Even after full vaccination, with the economy at full capacity, teleworking rates are likely to remain well above pre-pandemic rates, with major workforce and real estate implications. Many organizations struggle with this significant change as workers continue to adapt to this new way of wo...
Aug 19, 2020•31 min•Season 2Ep. 22
The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence™ in collaboration with The Business Council rose slightly in Q3. The measure saw a one-point uptick, up from 44 in Q2 to 45 in Q3. (A reading below 50 points reflects more negative than positive responses.) Without substantial containment of COVID-19, widespread uncertainty will continue being the dominant cloud hanging over America’s CEO community. The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence...
Aug 18, 2020•22 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Margaret Murphy, Digital Media Programme Manager at the Conference Board, interviews our resident Senior Economist for Europe, Ilaria Maselli about the consumer confidence results in Europe for Q2. In 2020 Q2, European consumer confidence saw its largest quarterly decline in the history of the series, driven by near record pessimism about job prospects over the next 12 months. On the whole, 74 percent of European consumers indicated that job prospects were “not so good” or “bad” in 2020 Q2 compa...
Aug 18, 2020•12 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Large declines were experienced in Michigan, Florida, Texas and California, a result of the resurgence of COVID-19. Looking ahead, consumers have grown less optimistic about the short-term outlook for the economy and labor market and remain subdued about their financial prospects. Such uncertainty about the short-term future does not bode well for the recovery, nor for consumer spending.
Jul 28, 2020•12 min•Season 3Ep. 19
We react to the June jobs report and then address the impact of COVID-19 on US workers and households. For many, their economic situation has done a complete 180 since the emergence of the virus. In a previously tight labor market, unemployment rates were at record lows, wages were accelerating, and job satisfaction was rising. The improvement in labor market conditions, especially for blacks, Hispanics, and workers with lower earnings and education, had led to a reduction in poverty rates and w...
Jul 16, 2020•47 min•Season 3Ep. 18
On The Sherman Show Podcast, The Conference Board's Bart van Ark and Erik Lundh discuss various aspects of how the US economy is faring amid COVID-19, including Consumer Confidence and their US economic forecast. For more of The Sherman Show podcasts, please visit: https://doubleline.com/podcasts/
Jul 08, 2020•49 min•Season 3Ep. 17
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index sees its biggest rise this month since 2011, yet still remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels. The index reveals consumers are less pessimistic about the short-term outlook, but fear an uneven and uncertain economic recovery amid virus concerns. Join Chief Economist Bart van Ark, and Senior Director of Economic Indicators, Lynn Franco, as they discuss the monthly numbers.
Jun 30, 2020•15 min•Season 3Ep. 16
A large share of the world population is in lockdown right now. The speed and depth of the downturn we are experiencing are unprecedented and, inevitably, this will have an impact on labor markets. What do we know about unemployment so far in US and Europe? What industries or workers groups are more affected? How are companies dealing with shortages in some sectors? And, will we see productivity growth increasing as unexpected but positive impact of this crisis? These are the questions we deal w...
May 06, 2020•34 min•Season 3Ep. 15
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index weakened considerably in April, following a steep decline in March. Join Chief Economist Bart van Ark, and Senior Director of Economic Indicators, Lynn Franco, as they discuss the monthly numbers and a surprising improvement in consumers’ short-term outlook.
Apr 28, 2020•16 min•Season 3Ep. 14
President and CEO of The Conference Board, Steve Odland, discusses how COVID-19 is impacting CEOs' views about the state and trajectory of the US economy and business environment.
Apr 13, 2020•10 min•Season 3Ep. 13
Amid the fallout from COVID-19, confidence among US CEOs has declined sharply. Join this podcast with Conference Board CEO Steve Odland and Chief Economist Bart van Ark to learn what the newest numbers show, and whether there is any optimism for the future.
Apr 09, 2020•18 min•Season 3Ep. 12
In this episode of indications, Ilaria Maselli (Senior Economist, Europe, The Conference Board) and Bart van Ark (Chief Economist, The Conference Board) discuss the outlook for the European economy in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak. They discuss how the current crisis compares to the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2009 and debate on what type of shock this is and what are the conditions that will contribute to a rebound.
Apr 07, 2020•29 min•Season 3Ep. 11
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index fell sharply in March 2020, led by a nearly 20-point decline in the Expectations Index—among the largest one-month drops ever. Lynn Franco , Senior Director of Economic Indicators, explains how the rapid intensification of COVID-19 has fueled widespread uncertainty on the economy and jobs, and why March’s numbers are in line with a severe contraction—rather a temporary shock—and further declines are sure to follow. The Conference Board COVID-19 fore...
Mar 31, 2020•13 min•Season 3Ep. 10
This is the last episode in a 3 part series based on The Conference Board report “ US Labor Shortages: Challenges and Solutions .” In this third episode, Elizabeth Crofoot , Senior Economist at The Conference Board, and Frank Steemers , Associate Economist, discuss company solutions to the labor shortage problem . Based on our Labor Shortages Solutions Survey , we explore solutions to recruitment and retention challenges used by organizations most affected by labor shortages. Many of these organ...
Mar 11, 2020•20 min•Season 3Ep. 9
This is the second episode in a 3 part series based on The Conference Board report “ US Labor Shortages: Challenges and Solutions .” In this second episode, Gad Levanon , Head of The Conference Board Labor Markets Institute , and Frank Steemers , Associate Economist, discuss the impact of higher wages on the labor market and corporate profits. Based on our Labor Shortages Solutions Survey , raising wages was the most used solution for both recruitment and retention challenges. Given acute labor ...
Mar 04, 2020•14 min•Season 3Ep. 8
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index ticked up slightly in February, with further strengthening of expectations offsetting a pullback in consumers’ assessment of present conditions. The bottom line: American consumers remain historically confident—with their spending likely to drive continued economic growth through the first half of 2020. Could the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak—which escalated globally after our February survey closed—grow into the “black swan” that finally di...
Feb 26, 2020•11 min•Season 3Ep. 7
This is the first episode in a 3 part series based on The Conference Board report “ US Labor Shortages: Challenges and Solutions .” In this first episode, Gad Levanon , Head of The Conference Board Labor Markets Institute , and Frank Steemers , Associate Economist, discuss why we’re seeing labor shortages economy wide and the implications for companies and workers. Labor shortages are having a strong impact on the US economy. A perfect storm of labor market conditions—including a stagnant workin...
Feb 26, 2020•16 min•Season 3Ep. 6
The threat of trade wars has receded, but the coronavirus outbreak has added a new level of uncertainty to the global economic outlook. Will its effects be temporary, short term or beyond? Will its impact on China, the world’s second largest economy, reverberate across the globe? “Generally, the history of prior shocks has led to significant short-term effects, but no long-lasting impact,” says Bart van Ark, The Conference Board’s Global Chief Economist. Will this outbreak be different? In this ...
Feb 11, 2020•28 min•Season 3Ep. 5
The World Health Organization has declared the novel coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency, acknowledging that the virus now represents a risk beyond China. How can organizations prepare for and manage the potential impact of this fast-moving, deadly outbreak? What are the short and long-term economic implications? How can companies respond to a major health outbreak from various functional perspectives? In this timely podcast, Ataman Ozyildirim, Senior Director, Economic...
Feb 04, 2020•20 min•Season 3Ep. 4
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index ® (CCI) strengthened further in January 2020. At 131.6 (1985=100), the top-line index is back within sight of all-time highs approached last summer. With the trade conflicts and minor recession scares of 2019 largely behind us, expect the American consumer to be the unchallenged driver of economic growth through the first half of 2020—a full decade into the current expansion. Lynn Franco , senior director of economic indicators, breaks down the forc...
Jan 28, 2020•15 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Q4 2019 consumer confidence in Europe weakened to 86, down from 88 in Q3 2019, suggesting that consumer pessimism in the region has increased. Consumer confidence in the Euro Area was unchanged at 89, slightly above the European average, however and increasing share of households in Germany, Italy and Spain believes that their country is in recession. In this podcast, Ilaria Maselli, Senior Economist for Europe at The Conference Board, compares these fears to the results of C-Suite Challenge 202...
Jan 23, 2020•13 min•Season 3Ep. 2
