Bureau of Business Research
Date of this Version
10-5-2018
Document Type
Article
Citation
Copyright 2018 Eric Thompson, UNL Bureau of Business Research
Abstract
Nebraska consumer and business confidence diverged further during September 2018. The Business Confidence Index – Nebraska (BCI-N) remained at a high level, rising from 110.4 In August to 110.6 in September. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) fell, dropping from a neutral value of 100.2 in August to 97.0 in September. Business confidence is strong, but consumer confidence has turned negative. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, customer demand was mentioned by 35 percent of respondents, while the availability and quality of labor was mentioned by 26 percent and 16 percent mentioned competition from other businesses. Almost half of responding households listed a cost factor as their top financial concern, with 44 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 17 percent choose their level of wages or household income.
Comments
Prepared by the UNL College of Business, Bureau of Business Research