Phil Castle, The Business Times: Annette Miller believes 2012 could be the year the inventory of foreclosed properties shrinks to the point real estate prices finally rebound in Mesa County. “I don’t know if 2012 is going to be the magic year, but we’ll continue to watch it closely,” said Miller, senior vice president of [...]
Job growth continues to accelerate in the United States even as the jobless rate drops. According to the latest Labor Department estimates, nonfarm payrolls grew 243,000 in January as the unemployment rate edged down two-tenths to 8.3 percent. The January increase was the largest monthly gain in payrolls in nine months. The jobless rate has [...]
A monthly index tracking business conditions in Colorado slipped in January, but still reflects economic growth driven in large part by the energy sector. The Business Conditions Index retreated 2.1 points, but at 57.5 continues to forecast growth. “The state’s large energy sector is pushing the state economy forward even as the construction industry weighs [...]
After two months of gains to end 2011, a measure of consumer confidence begins the new year with a decline that reflects less upbeat assessments of business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) fell nearly four points to 61.1. The index advanced a total of almost 24 points [...]
A measure of refinancing activity and home sales in Mesa County dropped during the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the same quarter last year. With the decrease, the total number of deeds of trusts released in the county in 2011 dropped to a fraction of levels recorded only two or three years ago. According [...]
A revamped index forecasting economic performance in the United States continues to signal domestic growth even as the global outlook remains uncertain. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose four-tenths of a percent to 94.3 in December. The index has edged up only about a tenth of a percent over the [...]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: The Mesa County unemployment rate has increased for the first time in six months, a gain seen more as a seasonal uptick than the beginning of an upward trend. “I think there’s an overall attitude of this is going to be a good year where we some some positive signs,” said [...]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: Doug May offers a decidedly more optimistic forecast of economic and financial conditions these days than just five months ago. “I’m actually pretty upbeat today,” said May, president and chief investment officer of May-Investments in Grand Junction. “When you look at the facts, there’s a lot to be upbeat about.” [...]
Business executives are more upbeat in their short-term outlooks, but remain subdued overall, according to the latest results of a quarterly survey. The Conference Board reported that its Measure of CEO Confidence advanced seven points in the fourth quarter of 2011. At 49, the latest reading continues to reflect more negative than positive responses, though. [...]
For the first time, Vectra Bank Colorado will broaden participation in its popular economic forecast breakfast by broadcasting the event online. The breakfast, set for Jan. 18, will be streamed live from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the Web site at www.vectrabank.com. Registration and more information is available at www.vectrabank.com/webcast.jsp. Online participants will be [...]
