Both payrolls and the number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work increased in the United States in August. Nonfarm payrolls grew 315,000 and the unemployment rate rose two-tenths of a point to 3.7 percent, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Payroll gains for the previous two […]
A measure of consumer confidence has rebounded on more upbeat assessments of business and labor conditions, but concerns about inflation and recession persist. “August’s improvement in confidence may help support spending, but inflation and additional (interest) rate hikes still pose risks to economic growth in the short-term,” said Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators […]
A measure of optimism among small business owners has edged up, but remains below its historical average as uncertainty over inflation, labor shortages and other problems persist. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index rose four-tenths of a point between June and July to 89.9. The index has remained below […]
Tax collections, a key measure of retail sales and lodging activity, continue to increase in Grand Junction. The City of Grand Junction reported an 8.2 percent increase in its combined sales and use tax collections for June compared to the same month a year ago. Lodging tax collections rose 28.5 percent on a year-over-year basis. […]
United States payrolls increased, and the unemployment rate edged down in July as the two measures of the labor market returned to pre-pandemic levels. Nonfarm payrolls increased 528,000 and the jobless rate retreated a tenth of a point to 3.5 percent, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. The monthly payroll increase was […]
A measure of optimism among small business owners continues to decline on record-low expectations for an improving economy. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index dropped 3.6 points to 89.5 in June. The index has remained below its historical average of 98 for six consecutive months. “As inflation continues to […]
United States payrolls increased 372,000 in June and the national unemployment rate held steady at 3.6 percent for a fourth consecutive month, according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Payroll gains for the previous two months were revised downward, however, a total of 74,000 to 384,000 for May and 368,000 in April. […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Real estate activity continues to slow in Mesa County even as interest rates on mortgages rise and concerns mount over the possibility of a recession. The number of transactions and combined dollar volume of those deals fell in June behind the record-breaking pace set last year. Still, big transactions and […]
Tax collections, a measure of retail sales and lodging activity, continue to increase in Grand Junction The City of Grand Junction reported a 7 percent increased in combined sales and use tax collections in May compared to the same month last year. Lodging tax collections rose 27.6 percent on a year-over-year basis. May collections reflect […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Colorado business leaders are more shaken than stirred heading into the third quarter, increasingly concerned about inflation and the likelihood of recession and less confident as a result. The Leeds Business Confidence Index dropped 12.8 points to 41.1 for the third quarter. That’s the fifth-lowest reading in the 20-year history […]