Home
Share |

Content about Economist

May 6, 2013
The Numbers: Consumer Confidence Rises on Signs of Growing Employment

CHICAGO — Consumers respond positively to better employment numbers, increasing home prices

CHICAGO — CONSUMER CONFIDENCE continues to grow, according to the latest Surveys of Consumers by Thomson Reuters and the University of Michigan. In the March survey, economists report higher confidence amid signs of growing employment, and increasing home prices also had consumers giving a thumbs up to the future.

“Although confidence dipped in early March, since the middle of the month consumers have expressed improved prospects for economic growth,” says Richard Curtin, Surveys of Consumers chief economist. “Two factors were responsible for the gains: Consumers discounted the administration’s warning about economic catastrophe following the cuts in federal spending, and consumers have renewed their expectations that job gains will accelerate in the months ahead.”

Curtin also says that while optimism like this has been seen before, recent gains look to be sustainable, with a lower unemployment rate and increases in consumer spending on the way.

November 1, 2011
Slowdown Impacts Real Estate Markets, But Improvements Seen

WASHINGTON — Commercial real estate vacancy rates are flat and projections for growth have been moderated because economic growth and job creation have been weaker than expected, but modest improvements are expected over the coming year, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The weakening economy will slow the growth in demand for space, says Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

Looking at vacancy rates from the third quarter of this year to the third quarter of 2012, NAR forecasts vacancies to decline 0.3 percentage point in the office sector, 0.6 point in industrial real estate, 0.7 point in the retail sector and 0.9 percentage point in the multifamily rental market.

September 19, 2011
TCATA Members Marvel at Conference Offerings Amidst Mountainous Beauty

FAIRFIELD, N.J. — An outstanding business program, a resort area with much to see and do, and near-perfect weather combined to make the Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) Annual Conference in Park City, Utah, last month one of the group's best ever, the association says.

Jade West of the National Association of Wholesaler Distributors provided attendees with an overview of federal legislation and regulation having a significant impact on businesses that has passed or may be passed.

Best-selling author Joachim de Posada discussed the “marshmallow principle” of delayed gratification, the subject of a famous 1970s experiment. He explained how businesses might apply the principle to be more successful.

Economist Alan Beaulieu explained to attendees how they could make adjustments in their business planning to prosper in anticipated, predictable economic cycles.

At the closing dinner, several members were recognized for achieving milestone anniversaries. Foster-Stephens of Elk Grove Village, Ill., became only the fifth company to celebrate 75 years of association membership.

May 2, 2011
Small Business Employment Up Again in April

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Small-business job growth continued in April, according to the Intuit Inc. Small Business Employment Index. Employees also worked longer hours and earned more money.

Small businesses added 60,000 new jobs last month, for a monthly growth rate of 0.3% and an annualized growth rate of nearly 3.6%.

November 30, 2010
Commercial Real-Estate Market Improving, Economists Say

NEW ORLEANS — While still experiencing challenges, the commercial real-estate market could see signs of steady improvement in the near future, specifically concerning lending, according to two economists addressing the 2010 Realtors Conference & Expo here.

National Association of Realtors (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun and Hugh Kelly, clinical professor of real estate at New York University Schack Institute of Real Estate, shared their predictions surrounding the commercial market, indicating a slight improvement in commercial lending.

September 13, 2010
Obama Floats Small-Biz Tax Break; Lending Bill Wins Support

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Obama outlined a new economic plan last week that includes a proposal to assist business investment, and won critical support for a small-business lending package in the Senate.

A new tax break would allow businesses to write off 100% of the cost of new capital investment, expanding upon stimulus measures that expanded business depreciation rules in 2008 and 2009.

September 10, 2010
Commercial Real Estate Market Remains Soft

WASHINGTON, D.C. — If you’re considering adding a new location, now may be the time, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Commercial real estate sectors, hurt by weak job growth, are offering incentives in many areas that are conducive to business expansion.

April 17, 2010
Small Businesses Still Pessimistic, NFIB says

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reports that its Index of Small Business Optimism lost 1.2 points in March, falling to 86.8.

“The March reading is very low and headed in the wrong direction," says Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB's chief economist. "Something isn't sitting well with small-business owners. Poor sales and uncertainty continue to overwhelm any other good news about the economy."

March 31, 2009
Commercial Real Estate Activity Will Continue to Decline, Report Says

WASHINGTON — The real estate market will continue to decline in 2009 thanks to a sustained lack of credit and the economic slump, according to a forward-looking index and forecast for commercial real estate sectors published by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).