By Bryan Livingston Managing Partner and CEO Energy sector activity grew modestly in the first quarter 2019, with oilfield services driving much of the increase, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Energy Survey. The business activity index—the survey’s broadest measure of conditions among 11th Federal Reserve District energy firms—was 10.8 in the first...
By Neal England Practice Leader Domestic staffing buyers, private equity firms and cross-border strategic acquirers were out in force at this year’s Staffing Industry Analysts’ Executive Forum North America, as all seek to put capital to work amid a tightening time window. The event drew strong attendance and general optimism about the overall state of...
Brad Buttermore explains the impact of, and reasons for, recent PEO mergers in the Dec. 2018/Jan. 2019 issue of PEO Insider.
By Bryan Livingston Managing Partner and CEO The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), should stimulate trade between Mexico, the United States and Canada and increase cross-border energy investment and M&A activity. The new trade agreement, signed by all three countries in November, improves and enhances what was...
By Bryan Livingston Managing Partner and CEO 2019 is an important election year in Canada. Improving prospects for the country’s conservative parties are boosting oil patch optimism for much-needed oil & gas export pipeline construction. Predicting election outcomes has its risks, but current sentiment indicates that United Conservative Party candidate Jason Kenney will win the...
By Brad Buttermore Managing Partner and Chief Financial Officer The past year was hot for merger and acquisition deal making across many industries, including the professional employer organizations (PEOs). The fundamentals that make for a strong M&A climate remain plentiful in 2019. These fundamentals include a growing economy, low unemployment, rising wages, low interest rates,...
By Neal England Practice Leader A growing economy and business-friendly environment buoyed the staffing industry in 2018, and 2019 should still provide additional opportunities for growth in staffing as the economy enters its 10th year of an expansionary bull market cycle, although that growth will be more muted than in previous years. The U.S. temporary...
By Brad Buttermore Managing Partner and Chief Financial Officer Optimism among small business owners remains at near record highs as 2018 draws to a close, although tight labor supplies have dampened enthusiasm slightly. Small business owners have felt positive about the strength of the economy in 2018 and have responded with new jobs, higher wages...
By Bryan Livingston Managing Partner and CEO Interest in renewables is at an all-time high and the world’s big car makers are making a muscular push into electric vehicles. But one of the most interesting predictions for the future of the energy sector relates to conventional oil production. Demand for conventional oil production will rise...
By Neal England Practice Leader As the labor market tightens, staffing companies and their clients have become more attentive and aggressive in efforts to retain employees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report from August indicated 7.1 million job openings (a new record) and 6.2 million unemployed. Job openings outpaced the number of unemployed by...
