Bureau of Business Research

 

Date of this Version

Winter 1-5-2018

Document Type

Article

Citation

Prepared by the UNL College of Business, Bureau of Business Research

Comments

Copyright 2018 Eric Thompson, Bureau of Business Research

Abstract

Consumer and business confidence declined in Nebraska during December 2017. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) fell to 93.3 in December, well below the neutral level of 100.0. The index had reached a record level of 106.2 in November, but that high level of confidence was not sustained. The Business Confidence Index – Nebraska (BCI-N) fell from 114.1 in November to 107.5 in December. While lower, the December reading remains well above the neutral value of 100.0. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, customer demand was mentioned by 38 percent of respondents. The availability and quality of labor was mentioned by 20 percent of December respondents while competition from other businesses was cited by 10 percent. Respondents choosing competition were particularly concerned about competition from larger businesses and on-line businesses. Households reported a variety of financial concerns with 52 percent choosing the cost of living including health care costs, taxes, major expenses (furniture, appliances, automobiles) and the general cost of living. With the New Year approaching, a higher than usual 13 percent of households reported that their primary financial issue was a concern about their job or business.

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