April's Employment Trends Index Sees Positive Growth for Work Opportunities
In April, the Employment Trends Index (ETI) from The Conference Board experienced an upward shift, reaching a value of 105.77—a notable increase from March's revised figure of 105.52. This index serves as a composite measure for payroll employment, allowing economists to foresee trends in job availability. When the ETI rises, it implies that employment opportunities are likely to expand correspondingly, indicating positive shifts in the labor market.
Mitchell Barnes, an economist at The Conference Board, noted, "The rise in the ETI for April signifies a rebound and stability compared to a downward trend observed in 2025. The private sector is showing signs of recovery, although jobs in the federal government continue to decline."
Two primary components significantly influenced the ETI's increase this month. Firstly, there was a 1.5 percentage point decline in the share of consumers who reported finding it difficult to secure jobs, dropping to 19.8%—the lowest figure since early this year. Secondly, the percentage of small businesses expressing that they currently have jobs that remain unfilled increased from 32% to 34%, marking the highest rate since June 2025.
Barnes elaborated, "The overall increase in the ETI is widespread, with seven out of eight components contributing positively, reflecting the resilience of the labor market. Nonetheless, we must consider possible challenges, such as geopolitical tensions that could disrupt economic stability and potential layoffs driven by advancements in artificial intelligence."
In regards to claims for unemployment benefits, initial applications fell to 203,300 in April—marking a continued decrease from 2025 figures, and bringing the number close to historic lows. The temporary help services sector also demonstrated growth this month, positively impacting the ETI for the fourth month in a row. Additionally, there were slight increases in both industrial production and real manufacturing and trade sales during April.
However, the only component that negatively affected the ETI was the rise in the share of involuntary part-time workers, which increased to 17.9%, slightly surpassing the 2025 average of 17.5%. This suggests a growing concern regarding job stability and work hours for certain segments of the workforce.
The rise in the Employment Trends Index for April can be attributed to the positive performance of several components, which include:
1. The percentage of respondents claiming they find jobs hard to get from The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Survey.
2. Initial claims for unemployment insurance provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
3. The proportion of firms reporting unfillable positions from the National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation.
4. Number of employees hired by the temporary-help services sector as indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
5. The ratio of involuntarily part-time workers to all part-time workers, again referring to BLS data.
6. Job openings statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
7. Industrial production metrics gathered from the Federal Reserve Board.
8. Real manufacturing and trade sales data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The Conference Board plans to publish the Employment Trends Index on a monthly basis, following the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation report. As a respected non-profit and member-driven think tank founded in 1916, The Conference Board aims to provide valuable insights to navigate future economic landscapes. For further information about the ETI and its technical details, interested parties can refer to The Conference Board's official website.
Mitchell Barnes, an economist at The Conference Board, noted, "The rise in the ETI for April signifies a rebound and stability compared to a downward trend observed in 2025. The private sector is showing signs of recovery, although jobs in the federal government continue to decline."
Two primary components significantly influenced the ETI's increase this month. Firstly, there was a 1.5 percentage point decline in the share of consumers who reported finding it difficult to secure jobs, dropping to 19.8%—the lowest figure since early this year. Secondly, the percentage of small businesses expressing that they currently have jobs that remain unfilled increased from 32% to 34%, marking the highest rate since June 2025.
Barnes elaborated, "The overall increase in the ETI is widespread, with seven out of eight components contributing positively, reflecting the resilience of the labor market. Nonetheless, we must consider possible challenges, such as geopolitical tensions that could disrupt economic stability and potential layoffs driven by advancements in artificial intelligence."
In regards to claims for unemployment benefits, initial applications fell to 203,300 in April—marking a continued decrease from 2025 figures, and bringing the number close to historic lows. The temporary help services sector also demonstrated growth this month, positively impacting the ETI for the fourth month in a row. Additionally, there were slight increases in both industrial production and real manufacturing and trade sales during April.
However, the only component that negatively affected the ETI was the rise in the share of involuntary part-time workers, which increased to 17.9%, slightly surpassing the 2025 average of 17.5%. This suggests a growing concern regarding job stability and work hours for certain segments of the workforce.
The rise in the Employment Trends Index for April can be attributed to the positive performance of several components, which include:
1. The percentage of respondents claiming they find jobs hard to get from The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Survey.
2. Initial claims for unemployment insurance provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
3. The proportion of firms reporting unfillable positions from the National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation.
4. Number of employees hired by the temporary-help services sector as indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
5. The ratio of involuntarily part-time workers to all part-time workers, again referring to BLS data.
6. Job openings statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
7. Industrial production metrics gathered from the Federal Reserve Board.
8. Real manufacturing and trade sales data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The Conference Board plans to publish the Employment Trends Index on a monthly basis, following the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation report. As a respected non-profit and member-driven think tank founded in 1916, The Conference Board aims to provide valuable insights to navigate future economic landscapes. For further information about the ETI and its technical details, interested parties can refer to The Conference Board's official website.
Topics General Business）
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