Women in 2008 made no (significant) gains in winning more top US business jobs, according to a study released on Wednesday, but the head of the study said women are (poised to) make strides in the year ahead.

The number of women who were (board directors), corporate officers or top earners at Fortune 500 companies remained (essentially) unchanged, said the study by Catalyst, a nonprofit group that promotes (opportunities) for women in business.

The (percentage) of companies with women on the board of directors was 15.1 percent this year, (compared with) 14.8 percent in 2007, Catalyst said.

Also, the percentage of (corporate officer) positions held by women was 15.7 percent in 2008 and 15.4 percent in 2007, it said. The percentage of (top earners) in 2008 who were women was 6.2 percent, compared to 6.7 percent in 2007, it said.

The research on the Fortune 500 companies was based on data as of March 31, 2008. The slight changes in the numbers are not considered (statistically )significant, Catalyst said.