Employers in the finance, insurance and real estate sector expect to increase staffing levels in the third quarter but optimism has waned compared with the preceding three months, a Manpower survey shows.

A net 12% of employers in the sector expect to step up hiring, down from 18% in the recruiter’s second-quarter study.

“While the outlook is six percentage points weaker quarter over quarter, employers report a two percentage point year-over-year improvement,” the report says.

At 9% the third-quarter net employment outlook for finance, insurance and real estate is the second most optimistic across seven industry groupings.

It compares with 10% in the second quarter, but is three percentage points higher than in the third quarter last year.

Services sector employers are the most optimistic.

“Overall, the hiring outlook is positive, with some stability returning to the market,” Manpower Group ANZ MD Lincoln Crawley said.

“The unemployment rate also remained steady in April at 5.8%, with many economists suggesting the peak could have passed.”

The survey questioned more than 1500 employers. Overall, 20% plan to increase hiring, 12% expect a decrease and 67% will make no changes.