ECONOMY

Cautious Hiring Plans: The domestic hiring outlook for the fourth quarter suggests that the recovery is struggling, Manpower Inc. said. The temporary employment firm said its quarterly survey of companies found that 21% plan to increase their work force in the October-December period, while 11% plan staff reductions. The percentages are virtually unchanged from a year ago. The figures reflect caution among businesses due to the sluggishness of the economy, and a concern over the outcome of the presidential election, Manpower said. “We see no signs of a significant downturn, but at the same time there is little evidence that robust hiring activity will take place,” said Mitchell Fromstein, Manpower’s president.