ECONOMY

Ads Indicate Slow Growth in Hiring: The number of help-wanted advertisements rose in July, but not enough to signal a strong rebound in the job market, a business research group reported. The New York-based Conference Board said its seasonally adjusted Help Wanted Index climbed to 100, up three points from June and better than the 91 level of July, 1992. “The American labor market continues to show only minimal improvement. Hiring in many areas of the country is still muted, with few signs of any improvement soon,” Conference Board economist Ken Goldstein said. The survey of employment advertising in 51 newspapers nationwide is considered an accurate barometer of the job supply.