US DATA: Challenger reports 51,728 planned layoffs in Feb, down slightly
from 53,486 in Jan, but up from 50,702 a year ago. The transport sector
led with 14,065 layoffs, followed by consumer products. Challenger said
that those sectors, along with the retail sector, appear to have been
impacted by rising fuel prices, while government layoffs have slowed,
but could pick up again soon, especially on the federal level. See MNI
wire.