TALX says business is up

TALX Corp. said its July business activity improved over June's levels and it has reinstated its stock buyback program.

TALX said it repurchased or will repurchase 125,000 shares in late July and early August. The company said 600,000 shares remain authorized for repurchase under the current share buyback program.

Transactions using its The Work Number employment and income verification service were up 11 percent in July over the first quarter. William Canfield, president and chief executive, attributed the increase to mortgage interest rates at record lows and many mortgage refinancings.

In addition, the company said the improvement in employment, particularly in the temporary staffing industry, would also boost activity at TALX.

Canfield also said better use of its in-house staff, as well as its independent contractors, would result in $300,000 in annual savings.