Bureau of Business Research
Date of this Version
9-12-2018
Document Type
Article
Citation
Copyright 2018 Eric Thompson, UNL Bureau of Business Research
Abstract
Consumer and business confidence diverged in Nebraska during August 2018. The Business Confidence Index – Nebraska (BCI-N) rose from 106.4 in July to 110.4 In August but the Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) fell, dropping from 101.9 in July to 100.2 in August. Business confidence remains well above the neutral level of 100, but consumer confidence is best described as neutral. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, customer demand was mentioned by 26 percent of respondents, while the availability and quality of labor was mentioned by 24 percent, 13 percent mentioned competition from other businesses, and 12 percent chose the cost of goods and services. Concerns about business costs have been rising in recent months. Almost half of responding households listed a cost factor as their top financial concern, with 48 percent choosing taxes, health care costs, major expenses (furniture, appliances, automobiles) or the general cost of living. Twenty-two percent reported that their primary financial issue was either saving or paying off debt while 12 percent choose their level of wages or household income.
Comments
Prepared by the UNL College of Business, Bureau of Business Research