A monthly index tracking labor trends edged up in June, but reflects ongoing weakness in the U.S. job market. The Conference Board reported that its Employment Trends Index rose five-tenths to 100. The index has gained 5.4 percent over the past year. “The abysmal uptick in employment in the past two months is not just […]
A monthly index forecasting future economic activity in the United States rebounded in May to continue to signal expanding, albeit “choppy,” conditions. “Modest economic growth is being buffeted by some strong headwinds, including high gas and food prices and a soft housing market. The economy will likely continue to grow through the summer and fall, […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has retreated for a third straight month, a trend that reflects recession rather than recovery. “Corporate profits may be at a record high, but businesses on Main Street are still scraping by,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist for the National Federation of Independent Business. The NFIB […]
An index tracking labor trends has declined for two straight months. The Conference Board reported that its Employment Trends Index slipped four-tenths to 99.7 in May. The index remains 5.3 percent higher than a year ago, though. “We expect modest job growth to continue, but it’s becoming clear that employers are reacting to the growing […]
U.S. payrolls grew by an estimated 54,000 in May, a meager gain compared to an average increase of 220,000 over the previous three months. The national unemployment rate edged up a tenth to 9.1 percent. According to the latest Labor Department estimates, nonfarm payrolls were little changed with a net increase of 54,000 jobs. Initial […]
A monthly index tracking business conditions in Colorado has rebounded to its highest level in nearly a year on continued growth in the energy sector and exports. The Business Conditions Index jumped more than nine points in May to 62.9. That’s the highest reading since the index stood at 68.4 in June 2010. The index […]
A monthly index tracking conditions for small businesses in Colorado has retreated even as job growth in the state slows. Low financing costs are likely to continue, though, and benefit Colorado businesses, said Jeff Thredgold, an economist who calculates the Vectra Bank Colorado Small Business Index (SBI). “Despite high levels of political uncertainty, European politics […]
An up and down measure of consumer confidence is down again on more pessimistic assessments of present and future business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) dropped more than five points in May to 60.8. The index has seesawed between gains and losses since February, but now stands […]
A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States has dipped, but signals continued growth. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Indicator (LEI) fell three-tenths of a percent to 114 in April. The monthly decrease is only the second, however, since March 2009. Separate measures of current and past economic performance increased […]
A monthly measure of consumer confidence has climbed to its highest level in three years on more optimistic expectations for business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) rose 5.6 points in February to 70.4. The index now stands at its highest level since hitting 76.4 in February 2008. […]