A measure of consumer confidence continues to decline on less upbeat expectations for business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index fell 3.1 points to 102.9 in February. A component of the CCI based on assessments of current conditions climbed 1.7 points to 152.8 But a component based on the short-term […]
A measure of optimism among small business owners has increased, but concerns persist over inflation, labor shortages and other challenges. “Small business owners remain doubtful that business conditions will get better in the coming months. They continue to struggle with historic inflation and labor shortages that are holding back growth,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist […]
A measure of optimism among small business owners has declined on less upbeat expectations for the economy, sales and earnings. “Overall, small business owners are not optimistic about 2023 as sales and business conditions are expected to deteriorate,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the National Federation of Independent Business. The NFIB reported its Small […]
A year of ups and downs in the U.S. labor market ended with payrolls up and the monthly unemployment rate down. Nonfarm payrolls increased 223,000 in December as the jobless rate edged down a tenth of a point to 3.5 percent, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The payroll […]
An index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to decline, signaling a recession that could start next year. The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index fell 1 percent to 113.5 in November. The index has dropped in each of the last nine months and 3.7 percent over the past six months. Separate […]
A measure of consumer confidence has rebounded to it highest level in eight months on more upbeat assessments of business and labor conditions. The Conference board reported its Consumer Confidence Index rose 6.9 points to 108.3 in November. The gain reversed two months of declines to reach the highest reading since April. Measures of current […]
Sales tax collections, a measure of retail activity, continue to trend upward on year-over-year basis in Mesa County. The county collected more than $4 million in sales taxes in November, a 5.5 percent increase over the same month last year. November tax collections have increased in each of the last five years. November collections reflect […]
A measure of optimism among small business owners has increased on improving expectations for the economy, sales and profits. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index rose six-tenths of a point to 91.9 in November. The reading has remained below the 49-year average of 98 for 11 straight months, however. […]
Payrolls continue to increase in the United States, but at a slowing pace. Nonfarm payrolls grew 263,000 in November and the national unemployment rate held steady at 3.7 percent, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The payroll gain for October was revised upward 23,000 to 284,000. But the gain […]
A measure of consumer confidence continues to retreat on less optimistic assessments of business and labor conditions that could signal recession. The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index fell two points to 100.2 in November. Components of the index tracking the current situation and short-term expectations declined. Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators […]