Leeds Business Confidence Index points to slow first quarter
An increasing number of signs are pointing to a rebound in the U.S. and Colorado economies; however, the first quarter 2010 Leeds Business Confidence Index (LBCI) suggests that it will not occur in the short term. The LBCI has stalled at 49.7, the 10th‐consecutive quarter that it has registered below the neutral mark of 50. Only three of the six index components recorded moderate gains, two of the components posted declines, and one remained flat. The only two components to post values above 50 were sales prospects and expectations for the state economy. Of particular note is the fact that business leaders expressed their greatest concerns about hiring and capital expenditures.
State business leaders remain bullish about the prospects for the state economy. Q1 is the third‐consecutive quarter that the index component has been above 50, climbing from 51.9 to 54.1. While it is likely that the Colorado economy will outperform the U.S. economy in the months ahead, growth will be constrained by the slow expansion of the national and global economies.
About the Leeds Business Confidence Index (LBCI): For the past seven years, the Leeds School of Business and BBVA Compass have worked in collaboration to produce the Business Leaders Confidence Index (BLCI), which provided Colorado business leaders with valuable insight into topical economic news and business trends on a local, regional, and national level.
Starting with the third quarter 2009, the Leeds School of Business is assuming responsibility for the index. The Leeds Business Confidence Index will continue to gauge business leaders’ opinions about national and state economic trends and how their industry will perform in the coming quarter.
BLCI 2009 archive
BLCI 2008 archive
For previous years' archives, visit the Leeds School of Business Web site.