The Conference Board Help-Wanted Advertising Index — a key measure of job offerings in major newspapers across America — dipped one point in February. The Index now stands at 21, down nine points from a year ago.

In the last three months, help-wanted advertising declined in seven of the nine U.S. regions. Steepest declines occurred in the East South Central (-12.5%), Pacific (-11.0%) and New England (-9.3%) regions. There were slight increases in the West South Central (3.5%) and West North Central (1.4%) regions.

Expect a Slow Burn

Says Ken Goldstein, Labor Economist at The Conference Board: "More regions of the country are experiencing economic distress and the impact is now evident in the labor markets — the result of constant, unrelenting pressure from multiple sources. There's been very little profit growth, and virtually no job growth in the past three months. Businesses are cautious about investing and hiring. The lack of job growth sours consumer attitudes and spending plans. The lack of spending causes businesses to retrench. This is the downward spiral we are on. How much further down? For how much longer? The latest data available are reflective of conditions unlikely to turn more positive even by late summer, possibly not even until the end of the year. Expect a slow burn."