Center for Business and Economic Research at The University of Alabama releases Business Index

The Alabama Business Confidence Index™ (ABCI) is a forward-looking measure of Alabama business sentiment.  The Center for Business and Economic Research at The University of Alabama announces results of the fourth quarter 2009 survey, its 32nd consecutive quarterly survey of the state’s business executives.

SUMMARY:  Business confidence continues to improve heading into the fourth quarter of 2009.  Up 1.3 points to 47.3, the ABCI indicates that economic conditions will be slightly better than in the third quarter.  However, a broad-based recovery that includes both output and employment will not be achieved this quarter.
Key findings of the fourth quarter ABCI include:

• Business confidence rose 1.3 points to 47.3, suggesting that the pace of improvement will slow from the third quarter, when the ABCI jumped 14 points.  With the index serving as a comprehensive measure that considers employment and profits as well as components of GDP, panelists do not see a broadly-defined recovery beginning in the fourth quarter.

For the full report, see News and Announcements, Center for Business and Economic Research ...