Conference Board ETI Dips in September; Temp Help Employment Falls 10,900

NewsData.io · United States · Oct 5, 2026

The Conference Board's Employment Trends Index fell 0.5% to 107.56 in September, partially reversing gains from the prior two months, though it remains 1.0% above year-ago levels, signaling moderate payroll growth ahead. Temporary help services employment declined by 10,900 in September even as total nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000. Small-business recruitment also softened, with the share of firms unable to fill positions dropping 3 percentage points to 32%. The pullback in temp hiring and reduced small-firm recruitment signal a more competitive environment for staffing agencies seeking to place workers or win new client business.