US DATA: Challenger reports 42,474 planned layoffs in Nov, about unch
from 42,759 Oct and down from 48,711 a year ago. The government sector
led with 18,508 announced cuts, 13,500 of which were civilians in the
Air Force. Challenger noted that more Federal Government cuts are likely
and that the financial sector is also at risk of cuts due to the crisis
in Europe. Hiring plans were somewhat lower in Nov after the retail
surge in Oct, though UPS reported 55,000 hiring plans in Nov and
Challenger said they expect more retail hiring in Dec in response to
strong Black Friday sales. See MNI main wire.