CEO confidence in the U.S. economy fell again in the final quarter of 2007. A report from the Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence shows executive optimism ratings have fallen to 39 – a score of less than 50 reflects a generally negative response from most CEOs. The last time the measure fell below 40 [...]
Continue reading …More small businesses will seek to increase their loan levels or lines of credit during 2008. The latest nationwide Small Business Research Board survey released today shows that of the more than 450 owners and managers responding, 26.8 percent said they will increase the dollar value of their loan requests or raise the limit on [...]
Continue reading …The Department of Labor reported this morning that the Consumer Price Index rose by 0.3 percent in December, slower than the 0.8 percent during November. Consumer prices rose by 4.1 percent during 2007, the biggest jump in 17 years, and up almost 60 percent from a 2.5 percent increase in 2006. The increase was largely [...]
Continue reading …Just as the cost of construction materials is beginning to rise again after leveling off through the third and fourth quarter, industry managers can expect a continued rise in diesel fuel prices, too. The Energy Information Administration’s report earlier this week that said the national average retail price of on-highway diesel was $3.33 per gallon, [...]
Continue reading …The U.S. trade deficit rose to its highest level in 14 months, as record high oil prices overshadowed a rise in exports. The U.S. Department of Commerce said the deficit grew by 9.3 percent during November to $63.1 billion – largely created by a 16.3 percent increase in foreign oil costs. There also was a [...]
Continue reading …The National Retail Federation is predicting that retail industry sales will increase 3.5 percent this year. NRF analysts expect the current slow pace in sales growth to continue before picking up in the second half of the year, with sales increasing 3.2 percent in the first half of the year followed by a 3.8 percent [...]
Continue reading …2008 could be shaping up to be a golden year – at least, for those who own the precious metal. On the New York Mercantile Exchange this morning, gold for immediate delivery rose by $12 an ounce, to $908. So far this year, gold has gained 8.9 percent, while the dollar has fallen 2 percent [...]
Continue reading …Total nonfarm employment increased in 38 states and the District of Columbia during November. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that compared to November 2006, nonfarm employment decreased in 10 states and was unchanged in two. Employment increased everywhere except in Ohio, minus 0.2 percent, and Michigan, minus 1.8 percent. The biggest year-over-year percentage gains [...]
Continue reading …In the face of low national job growth and a surprising jump in national unemployment, the Vectra Bank Colorado Small Business Index registered 94.8 during December, up from a revised 92.7 during November 2007. That was enough to cause Vectra Bank’s corporate economist Jeff Thredgold to believe that additional federal interest rate cuts are on [...]
Continue reading …Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc. of Colorado Springs has received a $389 million add-on to an existing Air Force contract. This latest increase will allow the Air Force to pay for work on systems and maintenance engineering, network support integration, on-site and off-site depot level maintenance and software maintenance of the Air Force Satellite Control Network.
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