Global Tech Hiring Remains Strong as U.S. Outlook Shows Measured Q2 Improvement

Rhea-AI Summary

ManpowerGroup (NYSE:MAN) reports the Q2 2026 Experis Tech Talent Outlook showing stabilizing U.S. tech hiring with a Q2 Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 41%, up eight points QoQ but five points below last year. Global tech NEO is 45%, up four points QoQ and nine points YoY.

Skills shortages persist: 73% of global and 74% of U.S. tech employers report difficulty finding talent, with acute gaps in AI and essential human skills. Employers lean into upskilling, flexibility and wage increases to address shortages.

Key Figures

U.S. Q2 2026 NEO: 41% Global Q2 2026 NEO: 45% Global talent shortage: 73% +5 more

8 metrics

U.S. Q2 2026 NEO 41% Net Employment Outlook for U.S. tech hiring, up eight points quarter-over-quarter

Global Q2 2026 NEO 45% Global tech Net Employment Outlook, up four points QoQ and nine YoY

Global talent shortage 73% Global tech employers reporting difficulty finding skilled talent

U.S. talent shortage 74% U.S. employers reporting challenges filling tech roles

India tech NEO 69% Strongest Q2 2026 tech hiring outlook worldwide

Brazil tech NEO 63% Leading Q2 2026 tech hiring outlook in the Americas

UAE tech NEO 69% Leading Q2 2026 tech hiring outlook in Europe and Middle East region

Romania tech NEO 3% One of the weakest Q2 2026 tech hiring outlooks globally

Market Reality Check

Price: $26.05 Vol: Volume 1,130,845 is below...

normal vol

$26.05 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,130,845 is below 20-day average of 1,462,850 (relative volume 0.77). normal

Technical Shares at 26.05 trade below 200-day MA of 35.04, about 57.36% under 52-week high 61.09 and 3.58% above 52-week low 25.15.

Peers on Argus

Sector moves appear stock-specific. MAN was weak while momentum scans only flagg...

1 Up

Sector moves appear stock-specific. MAN was weak while momentum scans only flagged NSP up 2.2299999371171%. Broader peers were mixed: BBSI -0.49%, KELYB +3.69%, NSP +0.44%, KFRC -0.62%, indicating no unified staffing rally tied to this tech hiring report.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 18 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 18	Ethics recognition	Positive	-1.4%	Named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 17th time.
Mar 17	AI services launch	Positive	+0.9%	Experis launched EXCELERATE AI with SoundHound AI as key partner.
Mar 12	VivaTech partnership	Positive	-3.3%	Announced 10th year as VivaTech Platinum Partner with AI-focused startup challenge.
Mar 10	Global hiring outlook	Positive	-2.4%	Reported global NEO of 31%, strongest since Q3 2022 across 42 countries.
Mar 03	AI interviewing deal	Positive	+3.8%	Announced AI-powered interviewing partnership with Hubert to address talent shortages.

Pattern Detected

Recent generally positive workforce and AI-related announcements have produced mixed price reactions, with several declines following favorable hiring and brand-recognition news.

Recent Company History

Over the past few weeks, MAN has highlighted ethics, AI, and hiring trends. On Mar 3, it announced a global AI interviewing partnership, followed on Mar 10 by a Q2 2026 Employment Outlook showing a global NEO of 31%. Subsequent news included VivaTech 2026 participation, an ethics award on Mar 18, and ongoing AI partnerships. Despite the largely positive tone, several of these updates coincided with short-term share price declines.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details Experis’ Q2 2026 Tech Talent Outlook, showing a U.S. Net Employment Outloo...

Analysis

This announcement details Experis’ Q2 2026 Tech Talent Outlook, showing a U.S. Net Employment Outlook of 41% and a stronger global reading of 45%, alongside persistent talent shortages (up to 74% in the U.S.). For MAN, this extends a series of updates tying its brand to AI and workforce trends. Investors may monitor how these favorable demand indicators flow through future filings, revenue trends, and any strategic workforce or technology investments.

Key Terms

net employment outlook, upskilling, artificial intelligence, automation

4 terms

net employment outlook financial

"employers reporting a Q2 2026 Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 41%"

Net employment outlook is a single number that summarizes employers’ hiring plans by subtracting the share expecting to cut jobs from the share expecting to add jobs, based on a survey. Investors use it as a quick gauge of business confidence and future payroll growth—like a weather forecast for hiring—because rising hiring intentions often signal stronger consumer demand and potential revenue growth, while falling intentions can warn of slowdown.

upskilling technical

"Upskilling and reskilling current employees (30%)"

Upskilling is the process of training existing employees to learn new or improved skills so they can perform higher-value or different tasks within the same organization. For investors, upskilling matters because it can boost productivity, lower hiring and turnover costs, and help a company adapt to technological or market changes—similar to upgrading a tool so it can handle new jobs and deliver better results—potentially supporting stronger future earnings.

artificial intelligence technical

"The most acute gaps are in artificial intelligence capabilities alongside core human skills"

Artificial intelligence is the ability of computers and machines to perform tasks that typically require human thinking, such as understanding language, recognizing patterns, or making decisions. For investors, it matters because AI can enhance efficiency, uncover new insights, and enable smarter strategies, potentially impacting the value and performance of companies that develop or utilize this technology.

automation technical

"AI or automation to reduce staffing needs (22%)"

Automation is the use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention, often replacing manual work with machines or software. It matters to investors because it can increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enable faster decision-making, potentially leading to higher profits and competitive advantages for businesses.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Latest Experis Tech Talent Outlook shows sustained demand for specialized tech skills, with U.S. hiring plans stabilizing after recent moderation

MILWAUKEE, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tech hiring in the United States is stabilizing after a period of moderation, with employers reporting a Q2 2026 Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 41%, an eight-point increase from the prior quarter, according to the latest Tech Talent Outlook from Experis, part of the ManpowerGroup family of brands. The improvement suggests growing employer confidence as technology investments continue across industries, though the U.S. outlook remains five points below year-ago levels.

The data for the second quarter was collected between January 1 and February 3, 2026, prior to geopolitical developments that began across the Middle East in late February. The findings reflect employer sentiment at the time of data collection and may not capture the potential impact of subsequent events.

Globally, the picture is stronger. Tech employers worldwide report a Q2 NEO of 45%, up four points from the previous quarter and nine points year-over-year, reflecting sustained demand for tech talent. The U.S. outlook trails the global average, consistent with other mature tech economies where precision hiring has replaced broad-based expansion.

At the same time, skills shortages remain a constraint on both sides of this picture. Seventy-three percent of tech employers globally report difficulty finding the skilled talent they need, a slight improvement from 76% a year ago, while 74% of U.S. employers report challenges filling tech roles. The most acute gaps are in artificial intelligence capabilities alongside core human skills such as professionalism and work ethic.

"Across the global tech economy, demand for specialized talent remains high, but the nature of hiring has fundamentally changed," said Kye Mitchell, President of Experis U.S. "Employers are moving away from broad-based expansion and toward a more deliberate, skills-first approach. In the U.S., the quarter-over-quarter improvement suggests stabilization, while organizations continue focusing on securing specialized expertise, particularly in AI, and strengthening the human capabilities that support long-term business performance."

To address ongoing talent scarcity, employers are adopting a mix of workforce strategies. Globally, the most common actions include:

• Upskilling and reskilling current employees (30%)
• Offering more work location flexibility (24%)
• Increasing wages (22%)
• Targeting new and underrepresented talent pools (22%)
• Offering more schedule flexibility (21%)

U.S. employers report similar priorities:

• Upskilling and reskilling current employees (29%)
• Increasing wages (28%)
• Targeting new and underrepresented talent pools (28%)
• Offering more schedule flexibility (23%)
• AI or automation to reduce staffing needs (22%)

Regional Highlights
Tech hiring expectations vary significantly across geographies, with high-growth markets continuing to outpace more established tech economies.

• Asia Pacific leads global tech hiring confidence.
  • India reports the strongest outlook worldwide at 69%, reflecting robust demand for AI and digital transformation talent.
  • Vietnam, participating in the survey for the first time this quarter, reports an NEO of 49%.
  • Australia (37%) reflects more moderate intentions within the region.

• The Americas show broad-based improvement.
  • Brazil leads with an NEO of 63%, followed by Panama (61%) and Canada (45%).
  • Colombia (13%) reflects more cautious employer sentiment, underscoring the uneven pace of tech hiring recovery across the region.

• Europe and the Middle East presents a mixed picture.
  • The United Arab Emirates leads the region at 69%, followed by Portugal (50%) and the Netherlands (48%).
  • At the other end, Romania (3%) and Switzerland (8%) report the weakest outlooks globally, reflecting continued caution in parts of Central and Eastern Europe amid broader economic uncertainty.

For tech professionals with in-demand expertise, opportunities remain strong across markets. Employers are increasingly prioritizing candidates with specialized capabilities in AI, cloud and data, alongside the human skills needed to collaborate, adapt and deliver business impact in rapidly evolving digital environments.

To view the full Q2 2026 Experis Tech Talent Outlook, including detailed global and U.S. findings, visit www.experis.com/en/tech-talent-outlook.

The next report, covering Q3 2026 hiring expectations, will be released in June 2026.

ABOUT THE SURVEY
This research is based on results from the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey — the longest running, most comprehensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind, used globally as a key labor market indicator. ManpowerGroup interviewed 4,655 Tech & IT Services employers across 42 countries on hiring intentions for the second quarter of 2026.

SURVEY METHODOLOGY
Survey responses were collected from January 1 to February 3, 2026. Size of organization and sector are standardized across all countries and territories to allow international comparisons.

ABOUT MANPOWERGROUP
ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower, Experis, and Talent Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across more than 70 countries and territories and has done so for more than 75 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity – as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality, and Disability, and in 2026 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 17th time – all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent.

For more information, visit www.manpowergroup.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Bluesky.

ABOUT EXPERIS
Experis®, a global leader in technology services, provides the experience and expertise to shorten the distance between innovation and business impact in a digital world. Experis is guided by the principle that only human ingenuity can unlock the true potential of advanced technologies like AI. For clients, Experis offers the right mix of talent and technology to accelerate progress and deliver real-world results. For individuals, Experis has the insight, size, and scale to help tech professionals expand their skills, increase their value, and find the right opportunities. By matching talent to technology in transformative ways, Experis creates brighter futures for everyone. Experis is part of the ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN) family of brands, which also includes Manpower and Talent Solutions.

For more information, visit www.experis.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding labor demand in certain regions, countries and industries, and economic uncertainty. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, due to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These factors include those found in the Company's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the information under the heading "Risk Factors" in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, whose information is incorporated herein by reference. ManpowerGroup disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements in this release, except as required by law.

 

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SOURCE ManpowerGroup

FAQ

What is ManpowerGroup's reported U.S. tech hiring outlook for Q2 2026 (MAN)?

The U.S. Q2 2026 Net Employment Outlook is 41%, indicating stabilization after moderation. According to Experis, this is an eight-point quarterly increase but remains five points below the year-ago level, reflecting cautious recovery in hiring confidence.

How does global tech hiring compare to the U.S. in the Q2 2026 Experis report (MAN)?

Global tech hiring is stronger, with a Q2 NEO of 45%, versus the U.S. at 41%. According to Experis, global NEO rose four points QoQ and nine points YoY, outpacing mature U.S. markets where hiring is more targeted.

What share of employers report difficulty finding tech talent in the Q2 2026 Experis survey (MAN)?

73% globally and 74% in the U.S. report difficulty filling tech roles. According to Experis, shortages are most acute in AI skills and core human capabilities like professionalism and work ethic, driving hiring strategies.

Which workforce strategies are employers adopting to address tech talent shortages in Q2 2026 (MAN)?

Employers prioritize upskilling, flexibility and pay: top actions include upskilling (29–30%), schedule/location flexibility and wage increases. According to Experis, companies are also targeting underrepresented talent pools and experimenting with AI to reshape staffing needs.

Which countries reported the strongest tech hiring confidence in Q2 2026 in the Experis outlook (MAN)?

India and the United Arab Emirates led with a 69% NEO, while Brazil reported 63%. According to Experis, high-growth markets continue to show stronger hiring intentions compared with more established tech economies.

Will the Q2 2026 Experis Tech Talent Outlook reflect geopolitical events that occurred after data collection (MAN)?

No, the report reflects data collected from Jan 1 to Feb 3, 2026, so later geopolitical developments are not captured. According to Experis, findings represent employer sentiment at the time of collection and may not include subsequent impacts.