According to the Randstad Technologies Employee Confidence Index, IT workers' confidence declined to 57.4 in fourth quarter 2014 from 61.7, the record high, in the third quarter of 2014. Despite the decline, the Employee Confidence Index still remained above the confidence threshold of 50.0, a positive indicator that confidence levels remained high overall. The study, conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of Randstad Technologies, measured overall confidence levels expressed by 190 U.S. IT workers ages 18 and older. The results are indicative of survey information collected during October, November and December of 2014.

Gains Extend into the New Year

Conference Board of Canada downgrades growth forecast

Canada's economy is expected to grow by just 1.9 per cent in 2015 as the collapse in oil prices takes its toll on business investment and corporate profits, according to The Conference Board of Canada's Canadian Outlook-Winter 2015.

January data indicated a sharp slowdown in the Canadian manufacturing sector, with overall business conditions improving at the weakest pace since April 2013, according to the RBC Canadian Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index™ (RBC PMI™). The latest survey signalled that output and new business volumes grew, but at much slower rates than in December, while employment numbers dropped for the first time since the start of 2014. Manufacturers recorded softer input cost inflation during the latest survey period, while factory gate charges increased at the slowest pace for almost a year and a half.

Canadians less optimistic about the economy and their prospects for a raise than last year.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had increased in December, rose sharply in January. The Index now stands at 102.9 (1985=100), up from 93.1 in December. The Present Situation Index rose to 112.6 from 99.9, while the Expectations Index increased to 96.4 from 88.5 in December.

Short-Term Outlook Remains Bright, as Economy Continues to Build Momentum

Detailed economic whitepaper by university leaders takes hard look at U.S. and global growth, challenges and future for the year ahead

• Aiming to fill the skill gap, majority of respondents plan to hire new workers
• Concerns regarding legislative/regulatory pressures drop

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Mexico declined 0.1 percent in November to 105.6 (2010 = 100), following a 0.4 percent decline in October, and 0.7 percent decline in September.

Modest economic growth will likely constrain demands at collective bargaining tables across the country this year, according to The Conference Board of Canada's Industrial Relations Outlook 2015.