-Majority of These Companies Said Automation Created New Jobs Within Their Organizations

-More Than a Third Hired People Back Because the Technology Didn't Work Out

-Since 2002, 257 U.S. Occupations Declined While 483 Grew

• Following a strong June increase of 155,900, July showed a small loss
• States were mixed, with about half showing small gains

Third Straight Monthly Gain; Index at Highest Level since October 2007

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had improved in June, increased in July. The Index now stands at 90.9 (1985=100), up from 86.4 in June. The Present Situation Index increased to 88.3 from 86.3, while the Expectations Index rose to 92.7 from 86.4 in June.

Multibillion Dollar Deals Drive Activity R&C IPO Activity Surges in Q2

U.S. retail and consumer merger & acquisition (M&A) activity during the second quarter of 2014 was driven by eight multibillion dollar transactions, anchored by the food and beverage (including alcohol and retailing) sectors, exceeding year-over-year deal value by 104 percent and volume by 52 percent, according to PwC's U.S. retail and consumer deals insights Q2 2014 report released today.

The Randstad Professionals' Finance & Accounting Employee Confidence Index declined to 58.0 this quarter after reaching a near seven-year high of 64.3 in the first quarter of 2014. Despite the overall decline in employee confidence among professionals in this sector, the index remained above 50, which indicates a positive reading.

As Competition for IT Talent Heats Up Across Industries, Companies Must Think Beyond Traditional Technology Hubs and Skill Sets to Net Top Workers

CEB (NYSE: CEB) the leading member-based advisory company, today announced that the US remains a global leader in IT job creation with nearly 440,000 IT jobs advertised across 2013. Based on the company's analysis, the rate of IT job creation through 2018 will actually be faster outside the Technology sector than within it.

According to the Q2 Randstad Office & Administrative Confidence Index, employee confidence rose for the second consecutive quarter to 54.0 in the second quarter of 2014. The survey, which measures overall confidence among U.S. office and administrative professionals, was conducted online among 394 workers in this sector by Harris Poll on behalf of Randstad. The report found increasing confidence among workers in the strength of the economy and in the number of available jobs.

The Randstad Manufacturing & Logistics Employee Confidence Index, a measure of overall confidence among U.S. workers in this sector, hit an all-time high this quarter rising from 50.5 to 56.0 – a level not reached since Randstad began tracking the index in 2005. The quarterly survey, conducted by Harris Poll among 161 manufacturing and logistics workers on behalf of Randstad, also found workers' sense of economic strength, availability of jobs and their ability to find a new job all rose this quarter.

Fifth Consecutive Increase; Economy May Accelerate in Second Half of the Year

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.3 percent in June to 102.2 (2004 = 100), following a 0.7 percent increase in May, and a 0.3 percent increase in April.

• Companies putting cash to work as competitive pressure grows
• M&A plans increase as companies look to cement leadership, add talent and strengthen technologies

The number of IT jobs grew 0.3 percent sequentially last month to 4,664,800, according to TechServe Alliance, the national trade association of the IT & Engineering Staffing and Solutions industry. On a year-over-year basis, IT employment has grown by 3.2% since June 2013 adding 144,200 IT workers.

TechAmerica Foundation Whitepaper Underscores the Importance of Free Trade Agreements

U.S. tech trade of goods and services tops more than $1 trillion according to the latest whitepaper by the TechAmerica Foundation. The paper examines the latest data on the exports and imports of both tech goods and services, showing their significance to the U.S. economy.