"The improvement in hiring expectations for the fourth quarter marks a reversal of the downward trend we have seen in the U.S. survey data since the beginning of the year," says Jeffrey A. Joerres, chairman and CEO of Manpower Inc. "Although the survey results are somewhat weaker than the fourth quarter of 2002, employers report a consistent level of job growth across the majority of industry sectors and all four regions of the United States."

Employers in the Northeast, Midwest and West regions report equal hiring forecasts for the final 3 months of the year. The South has the most promising employment outlook again this quarter and has since the third quarter 2002.

Durable goods manufacturers expect to hire at the same pace as last quarter, which is moderately slower than the forecast a year ago. The South anticipates the most job opportunities. The Northeast, Midwest and West share identical employment outlooks for the durable goods manufacturing sector, which are slightly less positive than in the South.

Manufacturers of nondurable goods plan to hire at a consistent pace with last quarter, according to the seasonally adjusted data. This represents a plateau in the downward trend in hiring intentions that began in the first quarter of the year, but job levels are still lower than they were in the fourth quarter of 2002. Employment opportunities are greatest in the Northeast and fewest in the Midwest.