MPS Group, Inc.Jacksonville, FL, United States (NYSE: MPS)

US Employers Expected to Cut Staff - US employers will cut staff well into 2009, according to the Conference Board. Personnel staffing agencies are likely to be negatively impacted by lower demand for workers. The Conference Board Employment Trends Index, a measure of eight labor market indicators, declined 12 percent in October 2008 compared to October 2007. Trends measured by the Conference Board index include job openings, initial claims for unemployment insurance, and the number of employees hired by temporary-staffing agencies,

Bankers' Problems May Benefit Staffing Agencies - Misfortune on Wall Street may be a boon to US personnel staffing agencies as small and midsized investment banks that didn't invest in mortgage-backed securities consider hiring people laid off from large investment banks that did. Placement agencies may be able to match experienced bankers who once worked for Wall Street firms such as Lehman Brothers, Morgan Stanley, and Bear Stearns with smaller firms seeking to expand into new businesses even in a declining economy. Morgan Stanley announced plans in November 2008 to cut 10 percent of staff in its institutional securities unit and 9 percent in asset management.

US Companies Employing Fewer Temporary Workers - The number of temporary workers at US companies fell 12 percent in October 2008 compared to October 2007. Employment of temporary workers, a major driver of revenue for many personnel staffing agencies, has remained near its lowest level in three years for most of 2008. Overall economic weakness and tight credit markets have contributed to the decline.