Small business optimism index retreats

After six straight months of gains, a measure of optimism among small business owners has declined on less upbeat expectations for hiring and sales. The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index retreated nearly two points to 92.5 in March. With gains in each of the previous six months, the […]

U.S. payrolls grow, but at a slower pace

U.S. payrolls continued to increase in March – but at half the pace of the previous three months – even as the unemployment rate edged down. According to the latest Labor Department estimates, nonfarm payrolls rose 120,000. The jobless rate slipped a tenth of a point to 8.2 percent, the lowest rate since January 2009, […]

Real estate update: Sales up, but so are foreclosure filings

Phil Castle, The Business Times Annette Miller sees signs of both encouragement and concern in the latest real estate statistics for Mesa County. The number and dollar volume of real estates transactions continue to outpace last year. But property foreclosure filings have increased on a year-over-year basis for two straight months, jumping nearly 90 percent in […]

Tax Freedom Day comes later in Colorado and U.S.

Colorado residents will work an extra week this year to earn enough money to pay their taxes, according to the latest results of an annual analysis of tax and income statistics. Nationwide, taxpayers will work four more days than last year to reach what the Tax Foundation calls Tax Freedom Day. Tax Freedom Day arrives […]

Rising Colorado business index reflects job growth

A monthly index tracking business conditions in Colorado has increased even as manufacturers add jobs. “Manufacturers tied to energy, agriculture and dependent on sales abroad are experiencing especially strong growth. As a result of this solid expansion, I expect the unemployment rate to continue to decline in the months ahead,” said Ernie Goss, director of […]

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