DOING WELL ENOUGH TO MAKE-WORK AGAIN:

Survey: Hiring, spending pickup seen in next 6 mos (BETSY VERECKEY, 10/26/09, AP)

Results from a new economic survey may ease concerns about rising unemployment and its effect on consumer spending, as forecasters say more employers appear willing to hire in the coming months.

The latest quarterly survey from the National Association for Business Economics, set for release on Monday, shows that unemployment is moderating. It also signals an improved hiring outlook over the next six months, which may help alleviate worries that the nation's unemployment rate will continue to jump and constrict consumer spending, the main driver of the U.S. economy.