Hiring by Chattanooga employers is expected to be somewhat stagnant during the third quarter of the year, according to a survey of area employers by Manpower Inc.

About 12 percent of employers polled said they intend to hire more workers between July and September, and about the same percent said they intend to reduce their staffing levels.

About 72 percent of Chattanooga employers said they intend to maintain current employment levels, while 4 percent said they are unsure of their plans.

Manpower spokesman Mark Campbell said hiring activity is improving.

“The hiring activity is expected to be slightly stronger than the previous quarter when 11 percent of companies surveyed planned to increase staff levels and 14 percent expected to cut payrolls,” he said.

Of the more than 28,000 employers surveyed nationwide, 15 percent said they intend to increase staffing levels, while 13 percent plan to cut employment. About 67 percent expect no change in hiring, and 5 percent are undecided about the upcoming quarter.

CBL plans to sell 50 million shares

CBL & Associates announced on Monday that it plans to sell 50 million shares of newly issued common stock in an underwritten public offering to repay outstanding borrowings under its credit facilities and for general corporate purposes.

The underwriters will be granted a 30-day option to buy up to an additional 7.5 million shares of common stock, according to a CBL news release.

Merrill Lynch & Co. and Wachovia Securities are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.