Small Business Optimism Slips in September as Labor Shortages, Inflation Impact Business Operations

NFIB

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index decreased one point in September to 99.1. Three of the 10 Index components improved, five declined, and two were unchanged. “Small business owners are doing their best to meet the needs of customers, but are unable to hire workers or receive the needed supplies and inventories,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “The … [More]

Construction Trends Seen in Crane Index Quarterly Report, Mixed-Use and Residential Projects Most Evident

Rider Levett Bucknall

International property and construction consultancy firm Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) has released its latest Crane Index and Quarterly Cost Report. Together, the two documents provide an eye-opening perspective on the North American construction industry in 14 key markets. With data current to July 1, 2021, the latest RLB quarterly cost report shows that the national average … [More]

Payroll Employment Rises by 194,000 in September, Unemployment Rate Declines to 4.8%

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 194,000 in September, and the unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage point to 4.8 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Notable job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, in professional and business services, in retail trade, and in transportation and warehousing. Employment in public education declined … [More]

Small Business Labor Shortage Worsens in September

NFIB

Fifty-one percent (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, up one point from August and a record-high reading for the second consecutive month, according to NFIB’s monthly jobs report. The number of unfilled job openings continues to exceed the 48-year historical average of 22%. “More and more … [More]

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Fell for the First Time in Four Weeks

U.S. Department of Labor

In the week ending October 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 326,000, a decrease of 38,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 362,000 to 364,000. The 4-week moving average was 344,000, an increase of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised … [More]

U.S. Annual Home Price Growth Reaches a New All-Time High in August, Says Report

CoreLogic

CoreLogic, a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, today released the CoreLogic Home Price Index (HPI™) and HPI Forecast™ for August 2021. Home prices rose to a fever pitch this summer, with annual price gains reaching another all-time high in August at 18.1%. Ongoing affordability challenges within … [More]

Partnership Expands Supply Chain in Arizona and Taiwan

Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority and Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs, today committed to partnering on trade and economic development. The partnership, which was outlined in a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aims to support efforts to establish or expand operations and supply chains in Arizona or Taiwan. The MOU was signed on … [More]

Arizona Economic Development Sets Records for Jobs, Investment in FY 2021

Arizona Commerce Authority

Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 was a record-breaking year for statewide economic development. During the 12-month fiscal period that ended June 30, 2021, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) successfully worked with companies that committed to creating a projected 23,317 new Arizona jobs while investing $24.8 billion in local communities — the most ever for both metrics. The projected … [More]

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Unexpectedly Rise for Second Consecutive Week

U.S. Department of Labor

In the week ending September 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 362,000, an increase of 11,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 351,000. The 4-week moving average was 340,000, an increase of 4,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 335,750. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.0 percent for the … [More]

Tax Tips in Prep for Next Season

by Phil Wuollet

Small businesses can be complicated entities so even those that have already filed their taxes for this year can start planning ahead for next year. In fact, it is important to start thinking about potential tax issues and benefits, whether preparing for next tax season or filing an extension for this year. Doing so will save a business money — and can save it from an unwanted … [More]

Sports Betting’s Impact on Arizona’s Bottom Line 

by Alison Bailin 

On Sept. 9, sports betting was legalized in Arizona. During an event to celebrate the legalization in partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Caesars Entertainment — who have launched the Caesars Sportsbook app statewide and are in the midst of building a two-story, 20,000-square-foot sportsbook and sports bar adjacent to Chase Field set to open in early 2022 — Governor … [More]

Real Estate Tech Co. Unveils Gen Z Home Buying Trends with National Survey

Homie

Homie, a disruptive real estate technology company changing the way homes are bought and sold, recently conducted and released a nationwide survey that reveals home buying trends and perspectives of the next generation of homebuyers, Gen Z. Key survey findings include: Gen Z is looking to change the way homes are bought and sold through technology. The majority of … [More]

Phoenix Is Thriving. Here’s Why

by Evelyn Jozsa

Greater Phoenix has become the epitome of economic development in recent years. Thanks to the region’s tax-friendly environment, relatively low cost of living, favorable business policies and a growing talent pool, the Valley of the Sun is becoming a leading global region. Phoenix grew faster than any other major city over the last decade, expanding its population by 11.2 … [More]

Homeowners Gained $2.9 Trillion in Equity in Q2 2021, Says Report

CoreLogic

CoreLogic, a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, today released the Homeowner Equity Report for the second quarter of 2021. The report shows U.S. homeowners with mortgages (which account for roughly 63% of all properties) have seen their equity increase by 29.3% year over year, representing a collective equity gain of over $2.9 … [More]

University of Phoenix Releases Whitepaper Detailing COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on the U.S. Job Market

University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies has released a whitepaper outlining impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on American careers in major metropolitan areas. Analyzing findings from the University’s first annual Career Optimism Index™ study, the whitepaper also looks at barriers to career advancement and worker perceptions toward the future of their … [More]

U.S. Jobless Claims Jump to 351,000, Surprise after Pandemic Lows in Past Weeks

U.S. Department of Labor

In the week ending September 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 351,000, an increase of 16,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 3,000 from 332,000 to 335,000. The 4-week moving average was 335,750, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised … [More]

Housing Market Expected to Stay Stable as COVID-Era Protections End

Zillow

Desperately needed housing inventory is on the rise and expected to come primarily from sales by existing homeowners, among a host of other sources — the smallest of which is foreclosures — according to a panel of real estate experts responding to the latest Zillow Home Price Expectations Survey. The housing market is expected to stay stable as homeowners exit forbearance … [More]

Eighteen Months into Pandemic, Home Prices Continue to Rise, Home Price Index Reveals

Rick McCartney

Home prices across the United States continued to climb in August, rising at an annualized 15.9 percent from the prior month, the third consecutive month reporting an all-time record month-over-month rate, according to Radian Home Price Index (HPI) data released today by Red Bell Real Estate, LLC, a Radian Group Inc. company. The company believes the Radian HPI is the most … [More]

In Business Dailies

Sign up for a complimentary year of In Business Dailies with a bonus Digital Subscription of In Business Magazine delivered to your inbox each month!

  • Get the day’s Top Stories
  • Relevant In-depth Articles
  • Daily Offers
  • Coming Events