Payrolls May Have Climbed for Fifth Month: U.S. Economy Preview

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Bloomberg

Payrolls May Have Climbed for Fifth Month: U.S. Economy Preview
By Shobhana Chandra

May 30 (Bloomberg) -- Employment probably grew in May for a fifth consecutive month, pointing to gains in wages that will help U.S. households ride out the turmoil in financial markets, economists said before reports this week.

Payrolls may have climbed by 508,000 workers last month, the biggest increase since 1997, according to the median estimate of 64 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. The gain reflected a surge in government hiring of temporary help to conduct the census and a 180,000 rise in private employment, according to the survey.

Other reports may show the economic rebound is broadening beyond manufacturing as service providers, including retailers and construction firms, see a pickup in demand. General Electric Co. is among companies hiring, saying the European debt crisis is unlikely to derail the recovery from the worst global recession in the post-World War II era.

“The labor market is clearly improving,” said James O’Sullivan, global chief economist at MF Global Ltd. in New York. “At this point, there’s enough momentum in the economy to outweigh the drag from the turmoil in Europe.”


Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=alcsozhiDqFc