Bureau of Business Research
Date of this Version
8-3-2018
Document Type
Article
Citation
Copyright 2018 Eric Thompson, UNL Bureau of Business Research
Abstract
Business confidence fell in Nebraska during July 2018. The Business Confidence Index – Nebraska (BCI-N) fell from 115.4 in June to 106.4 In July. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) also fell, dropping from 103.9 in June to 101.9 in July. Both business and consumer confidence are above the neutral level of 100, but confidence in Nebraska is best described as solid rather than strong. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, customer demand was mentioned by 36 percent of respondents, while the availability and quality of labor was mentioned by 24 percent and 9 percent mentioned the cost of goods and services. Concerns about costs were primarily related to insurance, energy and tariffs on intermediate goods. Households reported a variety of financial concerns with 57 percent choosing the cost of living including taxes, health care costs, major expenses (furniture, appliances, automobiles) and the general cost of living. Twenty-four percent reported that their primary financial issue was either paying off debt or saving.
Comments
Prepared by the UNL College of Business, Bureau of Business Research