The Greek bailout didn’t take. Two-year Greek government bonds recently traded at cents on the dollar, resulting in yields of 25 percent. The market is clearly pricing in some element of default in the securities. Effectively shut out of the credit markets, financial pressures have mounted in spite of guarantees and bailout promises by other […]
For a decade, manufacturing in America weakened and 6 million small business manufacturing jobs were lost, decreasing by 33 percent from 1997 to 2009, according to a recent story in the Wall Street Journal. This last year, however, marks a change. American manufacturers are ramping up and adding needed jobs to the economy. U.S. manufacturers […]
A monthly index forecasting future economic activity in the United States rebounded in May to continue to signal expanding, albeit “choppy,” conditions. “Modest economic growth is being buffeted by some strong headwinds, including high gas and food prices and a soft housing market. The economy will likely continue to grow through the summer and fall, […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has retreated for a third straight month, a trend that reflects recession rather than recovery. “Corporate profits may be at a record high, but businesses on Main Street are still scraping by,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist for the National Federation of Independent Business. The NFIB […]
An index tracking labor trends has declined for two straight months. The Conference Board reported that its Employment Trends Index slipped four-tenths to 99.7 in May. The index remains 5.3 percent higher than a year ago, though. “We expect modest job growth to continue, but it’s becoming clear that employers are reacting to the growing […]
U.S. payrolls grew by an estimated 54,000 in May, a meager gain compared to an average increase of 220,000 over the previous three months. The national unemployment rate edged up a tenth to 9.1 percent. According to the latest Labor Department estimates, nonfarm payrolls were little changed with a net increase of 54,000 jobs. Initial […]
A monthly index tracking business conditions in Colorado has rebounded to its highest level in nearly a year on continued growth in the energy sector and exports. The Business Conditions Index jumped more than nine points in May to 62.9. That’s the highest reading since the index stood at 68.4 in June 2010. The index […]
A monthly index tracking conditions for small businesses in Colorado has retreated even as job growth in the state slows. Low financing costs are likely to continue, though, and benefit Colorado businesses, said Jeff Thredgold, an economist who calculates the Vectra Bank Colorado Small Business Index (SBI). “Despite high levels of political uncertainty, European politics […]
Colorado set records for overall visitors, overnight visitation and visitor spending in 2010, according to the latest results of research commissioned by the Colorado Tourism Office. With a slower than anticipated post-recession recovery nationwide, Colorado bucked several national trends, according to Longwoods International: Colorado remained the country’s top-ranked ski destination, with a 20 percent share […]
Exports of agricultural products from Colorado remain well ahead of last year with increases in the exports of meat, dairy and baking-related products. “Colorado’s farmers, ranchers and food processors are helping Colorado return to a strong, diverse economy,” said John Salazar, the state agriculture commissioner. “I am confident that our continued focus on expanding exports […]