Colorado business leaders more optimistic headed into second quarter
Colorado business leaders’ confidence is warming heading into the second quarter of 2019, according to the latest Leeds Business Confidence Index (LBCI) from CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business.
The LBCI, compiled by the Leeds Business Research Division quarterly for 16 years, measures Colorado business leaders’ expectations for the state and national economies, industry sales, profits, hiring plans and business investment.
All six indicators ticked higher in the latest survey. The second quarter LBCI shows the most optimism in industry sales.
Participants are still somewhat negative about the national economy, citing general economic conditions, national and state politics, trade and uncertainty.
“The latest LBCI reflects what we’re seeing across the Colorado economy,” said Richard Wobbekind, executive director of the Leeds Business Research Division. “The state is seeing continued, steady growth in 2019 across measures like employment, personal income and macroeconomic factors, but there is still hesitation because of uncertainty at the national level.”
The rise in LBCI follows three quarters of declining business optimism in the state.
Looking forward to the third quarter, the downward trend returned, however, as participants indicated an overall LBCI reading less than 50 (neutral) for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2011.
