NEW YORK—Shares of staffing companies declined on Thursday and followed the broader market lower, as the Labor Department said new applications filed for unemployment insurance held steady at a lofty level of 384,000.
The number of people continuing to draw unemployment benefits climbed to the most in more than four years at 3.1 million.
Elsewhere on Wall Street, oil prices rose and disappointing outlooks were released from technology bellwethers Oracle Corp. and BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd., adding to concerns about the health of the economy.
How some staffing stocks traded Thursday:
Manpower Inc. fell $2.86, or 4.8 percent, to $56.57.
Korn/Ferry International Inc. lost 67 cents, or 4 percent, to $15.97.
Kelly Services Inc. dropped 92 cents, or 4.4 percent, to $19.88.
Robert Half International Inc. gave up 97 cents, or 3.9 percent, to $23.82.
