Confidence among Colorado business leaders is starting to slip, especially when it comes to their outlook for the U.S. economy, and their expectations for profits, hiring and capital spending in the second half of the year, according to the .
Even as questions arise on the national outlook, the index showed rising optimism regarding the Colorado economy, according to the quarterly report from the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business.
Less than half of respondents expected to accelerate hiring, 44.8 percent, and only 40 percent were looking to boost capital expenditures in the third quarter. About 10.4 percent of panelists expected a moderate decrease in capital spending in the third quarter and 17.9 percent by the fourth quarter.
“The less-bullish capital spending expectations could reflect some of the economic headwinds identified by panelists, including higher interest rates and trade concerns,” said Richard Wobbekind, executive director of the Business Research Division at CU Boulder.
Labor shortages and a lack of affordable housing were also top of mind, he added.
But Wobbekind suspects that those specific issues aren’t driving the loss of confidence as much as a lack of clarity on policy.
