A revamped index forecasting economic performance in the United States continues to signal domestic growth even as the global outlook remains uncertain. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose four-tenths of a percent to 94.3 in December. The index has edged up only about a tenth of a percent over the […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: The Mesa County unemployment rate has increased for the first time in six months, a gain seen more as a seasonal uptick than the beginning of an upward trend. “I think there’s an overall attitude of this is going to be a good year where we some some positive signs,” said […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: Doug May offers a decidedly more optimistic forecast of economic and financial conditions these days than just five months ago. “I’m actually pretty upbeat today,” said May, president and chief investment officer of May-Investments in Grand Junction. “When you look at the facts, there’s a lot to be upbeat about.” […]
Business executives are more upbeat in their short-term outlooks, but remain subdued overall, according to the latest results of a quarterly survey. The Conference Board reported that its Measure of CEO Confidence advanced seven points in the fourth quarter of 2011. At 49, the latest reading continues to reflect more negative than positive responses, though. […]
For the first time, Vectra Bank Colorado will broaden participation in its popular economic forecast breakfast by broadcasting the event online. The breakfast, set for Jan. 18, will be streamed live from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the Web site at www.vectrabank.com. Registration and more information is available at www.vectrabank.com/webcast.jsp. Online participants will be […]
A monthy measure of economic conditions for small businesses in Colorado ended 2011 at exactly the same level as it started last year. While the small business sector has rebounded over the past year, prospects for continued improvement in the coming year could depend on what happens in Europe, the Middle East and Washington, D.C., […]
A monthly index tracking labor trends continues to rise and forecast job growth in the months ahead. The Conference Board reported that its Employment Trends Index climbed to 104.32 in December, up 4.7 percent over the same month last year. “Job growth is picking up some steam in the U.S.,” said Gad Levanon, an economist […]
A monthly index tracking optimism among small business owners continues to increase on more upbeat expectations for improving conditions and increased sales. The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index advanced 1.8 points in December to 93.8. With gains in each of the last four months, the index has climbed […]
U.S. job growth continues to accelerate, pushing down unemployment rates. According to the latest Labor Department estimates, nonfarm payrolls grew 200,000 in December as the jobless rate retreated to 8.5 percent. Based on the results of monthly employer surveys, the private sector added 212,000 jobs. But government employment continued to trend downward with a net […]
A quarterly index tracking confidence among Colorado business leaders has advanced for the first quarter of the new year, offering a promising start to what’s expected to be a year with increased sales, capital expenditures and hiring. “There’s quite a bit of enthusiasm exhibited in this survey,” said Richard Wobbekind, executive director of the University […]