A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has increased, but still reflects concerns over inflation and labor shortages. “Halfway through the year, small business owners remain very pessimistic about future business conditions and their sales prospects,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the National Federation of Independent Business. “Inflation and labor shortages continue […]
Mesa County sales tax collections slipped on a year-over-year basis in May for Mesa County with declines in the retail sector as well as other industry sectors. Sales and lodging tax collections increased in Grand Junction during the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same span in 2022. Mesa County collected more than $4 […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate has edged up in Mesa County, but remains at a low level that reflects a stable, albeit tight, labor market. “It looks like it’s staying pretty consistent here,” said Lindsay Bullock, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. The seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate has dropped in Mesa County to its lowest level in more than three years as business openings and expansions put more people to work. But the near record-low jobless rate constitutes a proverbial double-edged sword in also making it more challenging for businesses to recruit and […]
A quarterly measure of confidence among business executives in the United States retreated on more pessimistic economic expectations. The Conference Board reported the Measure of CEO Confidence fell a point to 42 for the second quarter. A reading below 50 reflects more negative than positive responses from the 139 executives who answered the survey upon […]
A monthly measure of confidence among small business owners continues to decrease even as concerns increase over sales, earnings and vacant job openings. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index fell 1.1 points to 89 in April. The index has remain below its nearly 50-year average reading of 98 for […]
A monthly measure of consumer confidence has declined on less upbeat expectations for business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index fell 2.7 points to 101.3 in April. A component of the index tracking consumer assessments of current conditions increased. But a component tracking their short-term outlook decreased and remains at […]
A measure of confidence among small business owners has declined on less upbeat expectations for sales, hiring and other factors. The Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index fell eight-tenths of a point to 90.1 in March. The index has remained below its historical average of 98 for 15 consecutive months. “Small […]
A measure of consumer confidence has edged up on more upbeat expectations for business and labor conditions, but still reflects concerns over inflation and the possibility of recession. The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index rose eight-tenths of a point to 104.2 in March. A component of the index tracking the short-term outlook increased, […]
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 […]