OKLAHOMA CITY - A majority of small and medium-sized businesses expect wages will be stagnant over the short-term, according to a survey by Express Employment Professionals.

Sixty-one percent of employers participating in the survey expect wages to stay the same, while 38 percent expect an increase. Two percent expect wages to decrease.

When asked about the current employment environment in their markets, 68 percent of companies surveyed responded that it was trending up, compared to 32 percent who said it was trending down.

Businesses were also asked if they foresee a recession in the near future. Overwhelmingly, 94 percent of businesses surveyed don't expect a nationwide recession in the next three months.

Eighty percent of businesses surveyed don't foresee a recession in three to six months, while 69 percent don't foresee a recession in six months to a year. …