The national index declined 0.17 percent in May; East North Central takes over as top-ranked region; Indiana regains top index spot among states; Dallas maintains lead as top-performing metro area for eighth consecutive month
The Paychex | IHS Small Business Jobs Index decreased 0.17 percent in May, bringing the national index to 100.65. Year over year the national index declined 0.49 percent. Moderating from last month, the drop in the national index brought the three-month growth rate to -0.18 percent. The East North Central region surpassed the West North Central to become the top-ranked regional index. Indiana regained the lead among states tracked by the index with the best one-month and 12-month growth rates. Among the metro areas measured by the index, Dallas continued to lead, while Washington, D.C.