Planned Layoffs Rise, but Trend Still Lower

Chicago, IL, July 3, 2013 -- Layoffs in the U.S. rose from May to June, but overall declined in the first half of the year compared with the first half of 2012, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

The firm said there were 39,372 announced layoffs in June, which was 8.2% higher than the 36,398 announced in May.

From January through June there were 258,932 job cuts announced, which is 8.5% fewer than the first six months of 2012, Challenger said.

Since 2000, 2011's first half of the year job-cut total of 245,806 was lower than this year's total at the six month mark.

The improvement trend has not been shared by every business sector, however.