NEW YORK, August 28, 2026, 14:45 EDT — Shares of U.S. staffing companies jumped 39% this August, supported by a 4.4% increase in temporary employment.
- Commercial staffing shares rose 39% in August and advanced almost 80% through 2026.
- Through August 16, temporary and contract employment increased by 4.4% compared to the previous year.
- Friday saw a mix of leading stocks, indicating the rally in the sector spans more than a single session.
U.S. commercial staffing shares jumped 39% in August as companies leaned toward using temporary workers. The sector has climbed almost 80% so far this year, MarketSurge data showed, as reported by Investor’s Business Daily.
The development highlights a rare divide in the labor market. Firms continue to seek employees, yet many are hesitant to make long-term payroll additions.
New jobs figures back up that view. Temporary and contract staffing increased by 4.4% compared with a year earlier during the four weeks to August 16.
The measure rose 3.3% compared to July. Its four-week index climbed to 92, and the most recent weekly figure remained close to 93 American Staffing Association.
New assignments rose at a faster pace. Close to half of staffing companies saw increases each week, compared with a 41% weekly average in 2026.
ASA chief economist Noah Yosif said, “Temporary employment continues to benefit from a cautious hiring environment.” He pointed to a need for flexible labor arrangements.
That operational leverage has been recognized by the market. Shares of Kelly Services NASDAQ:KELYA have risen roughly 156% so far this year.
TrueBlue NYSE:TBI is up approximately 140%. Shares of AMN Healthcare NYSE:AMN have climbed nearly 125%.
ManpowerGroup NYSE:MAN has risen by about 111%. This increase is much greater than the employment growth indicated by the staffing index.
| Listed exposure | 2026 gain | Aug. 28 price | Friday move | Market value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelly Services KELYA | ≈156% | $17.33 | up 1.40% | $610 million |
| TrueBlue TBI | ≈140% | $10.64 | down 0.19% | $324 million |
| AMN Healthcare AMN | ≈125% | $34.63 | fell 1.28% | $1.38 billion |
| ManpowerGroup MAN | ≈111% | $62.80 | gained 0.95% | $2.98 billion |
Friday trading showed mixed results. Shares of Kelly and Manpower rose, but TrueBlue and AMN declined in the same session.
The divergence is significant. The investment rationale relies on factors like company composition, client concentration, and margin conversion, rather than just workforce numbers.
During 2026, commercial staffing—including industrial and manual jobs—rose by 11%. Professional staffing increased by 8%. Clerical positions decreased.
The sector also acts as a near-instant economic indicator. According to ASA, staffing employment has typically tracked overall economic activity.
The upcoming evaluation comes on September 4, coinciding with the U.S. employment data release. The August assessment will reference the same week as ASA’s most recent monthly measurement.
Risks: The rise in share price reflects expectations of a continued hiring rebound. An economic downturn could swiftly impact placements, and an improvement in permanent hiring might lessen demand for temporary roles. Additionally, AI could affect clerical placements and challenge assumptions about recruiter productivity.
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