Mesa County jobless rate edges upward

Phil Castle, The Business Times The latest unemployment rate edged up in Mesa County, but is expected to soon retreat as more people enter the workforce and find jobs. “There is nothing in current data to raise alarm for the remainder of the year,” said Tabi Britt, employment services supervisor at the Mesa County Workforce […]

Index tracking rural economy still in negative territory

A monthly index tracking the economy in rural areas of Colorado and nine other states remained in negative territory for a sixth straight month. The overall reading for the Rural Mainstreet Index fell 1.9 points in February. At 46.2, the latest reading remains below growth-neutral 50. The overall reading for Colorado fell 3.7 points, but […]

Leading index: Slowing likely, recession not

A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to decline, but no longer signals a recession. The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index fell four-tenths of a percent to 102.7 in January. Separate measures of current and past conditions both increased. Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, senior manager of business cycle indicators at […]

Small Business Optimism Index increases

A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has increased, but continues to reflect concerns over inflation and filling job openings. “Small business owners remain very pessimistic about economic prospects this year,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the National Federation of Independent Business. “Inflation and labor quality have consistently been tough complications for […]

Consumer Confidence Index rebounds

A measure of consumer confidence increased on more upbeat assessments of business and labor conditions and fewer concerns about inflation, interest rates and recession. The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index rose 9.7 points to 110.7 in December. Components of the index tracking current conditions and short-term expectations both increased. “December’s increased in consumer […]

Leading index signals slowing ahead

A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to decline, signaling slowing and what could be recession. The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Indicator fell a half of a percent to 103 in November. Separate measures of current and past conditions both increased. Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, senior manager of business cycle […]

Rural economic index retreats to three-year low

A monthly index tracking the economy in rural areas of Colorado and nine other states has dropped to a three-year low. The overall reading for the Rural Mainstreet Index fell for a third straight month. At 40.4, the latest reading remains below growth-neutral 50. The overall reading for Colorado fell 16.5 points to 58.9. Overall […]

CEO confidence dips on less upbeat outlook

A quarterly measure of confidence among business executives has retreated on a more cautious outlook for the United States economy, The Conference Board reported its Measure of CEO Confidence fell two points for the fourth quarter. At 46, the latest reading reflected more negative than positive responses to the survey upon which the index was […]

Small Business Confidence Index declines

A measure of optimism among small business owners continues to decline on less upbeat expectations for improving conditions and persistent concerns about inflation. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index fell a half point to 90.8 in September. The index has remained below its 49-year average of 98 for 21 […]

Consumer Confidence Index retreats

A measure of consumer confidence retreated for a second straight month on less upbeat expectations for business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index declined 5.7 points to 103 in August. While a measure of current conditions edged up, a measure of the short-term outlook dropped below a threshold that historically […]