10 Not So 'Recession-Proof' Industries
Aside from the federal government, health is the only major industry still growing. But it's growing at a far slower pace than in the past. In the first quarter, the industry added fewer than half of the number of jobs that it did a year ago. Hospitals, in particular, are suffering from the kind of pain that only Valium's fiscal equivalent can help. Their employment grew by just 0.1 percent in January and February and didn't grow at all in March. Meanwhile, according to a recent survey by the American Hospital Association, almost half of hospitals have cut staff to save money. Nearly 60 percent report a substantial decrease in their operating margins from a year ago. They also say it won't get much better: Forty-three percent expected to report losses for the first quarter.
The recession is hurting many families and companies across the country, but there are a few bright spots. Who do you think is a recession winner? And who are the biggest recession losers?