A quarterly index based on the results of a survey of small business owners continues to reflect optimism, but also difficulty in finding qualified applicants for job openings. The MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index slipped four-tenths of a point to 69.3 for the fourth quarter, a pause in the upward trend […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Even as statistics reflect a steady labor market in Mesa County, Curtis Englehart gleans from first-hand observation what he considers gradual improvement. “It just seems like there’s a lot of confidence right now in the labor market,” said Englehart, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. According […]
A monthly measure of consumer confidence remains at it highest level in 18 years with expectations for continued growth into the new year. “Consumers do not foresee the economy losing steam anytime soon. Rather, they expect the strong pace of growth to carry over into early 2019,” said Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators […]
An index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to signal growth, albeit at what could be a slowing pace. The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose five-tenths of a percent to 111.8 in September. A separate measure of current conditions edged up, while a measure of past conditions slipped. Ataman […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has slipped, but remains near historically high levels. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index fell to 107.9 in September. That’s nine-tenths of a point lower than the record high of 108.8 posted in August, but still the third-highest reading in […]
An index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to signal growth through the end of the year. The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose six-tenths of a percent to 110.7 in July. While a separate measure of current economic performance rose, a measure of past performance declined. “The U.S. LEI […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The unemployment rate has increased in Mesa County on the combination of an increase in the number of people looking for jobs and a decrease in the number of those on payrolls. What’s been a more general trend toward lower jobless rates and a growing labor force is expected to […]
A monthly measure of consumer confidence has rebounded on more upbeat assessments of business and labor conditions in the United States, but doesn’t signal faster growth. The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index rose three-tenths of a point to 127.4 in July. A measure of current conditions jumped 4.2 points to 165.9. A measure […]
An index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to signal growth. The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose five-tenths of a percent to 109.8 in June. Separate measures of current and past economic performance also increased. “The U.S. LEI increased in June, pointing to continuing solid growth in the U.S. […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has slipped but remains at historically high levels. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index retreated six-tenths of a point in June. But at 107.2, the reading was the sixth highest in the 45-year history of the index. “There was a […]