Daily Dispatches: surveys point to positive employment outlook
Job advertisements rebounded in February to their highest monthly increase in 11 years, as employers stepped up hiring plans. The total number of jobs advertised rose by 19.1 per cent in February, more than reversing an 8.1 per cent fall in January, according to the ANZ Bank's monthly survey. It was the best monthly result in the 11-year history of the series, ANZ said. (Sydney Morning Herald)
The latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, released today, revealed that hiring intentions in the finance, insurance and real estate sector had risen by 22 per cent over the past quarter compared to just 14 per cent in the previous quarter. (Money Management)
Business confidence has risen back to the levels seen in November, which were the highest since May 2002. The National Australia Bank's monthly business survey for February has found that confidence increased 4 points to 19, the positive figure indicating that optimists far outweigh pessimists. (ABC News)
Major insurers are still counting the cost of the violent storm that swept across Melbourne over the weekend with some 22,500 claims so far lodged and more expected over the next few days. Expected payouts from the storm may run into the hundreds of millions of dollars, with the bulk of the costs for major insurers likely to be covered by reinsurance contracts. (The Age)
