Economic confidence among small business owners fell in August after briefly rebounding last month as small business owners expressed less confidence in the economic conditions for their business and experienced more cash flow issues, according to the Discover(R) Small Business Watch(SM).
Three-quarters (75 percent) of U.S. workers think companies have responsibilities to the community.
After months of registering one of the highest levels of worker confidence, sentiment among Tampa employees recorded its second consecutive record low in July. The city’s Hudson Employment IndexSM fell 4.5 points to 91.6 in July. Layoff fears, weakened finances and lower job satisfaction contributed to the decrease. The Index for Tampa registered 118.7 one year ago. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, rose 4.6 points to 105.8 in July.
Florida worker confidence fell for the fourth consecutive month in July, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) dropped 5.1 points to 92.6, the lowest on record for the state. Increased worry over job loss drove the decline. The state’s latest measure of worker confidence is a drastic 25.3 points lower than last July’s reading of 117.9. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across the country, rose 4.6 points to 105.8.
Worker confidence improved in Boston in July, as the city’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) rose 3.5 points to 104.8. Fewer layoff expectations and less job security concern contributed to the increase. Boston’s latest Index is more than seven points stronger than last July, when it registered 97.7. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers, also rose 4.6 points to 105.8.
Ohio workers were more confident in July, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) increased six points to 106.8. Improved financial sentiments drove the increase. The state’s latest Index is a dramatic 14.2 points higher than last July, when it came in at 92.6. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across the country, also rose 4.6 points in July to 105.8.
Worker confidence climbed among both African-Americans and Hispanics in July. The monthly Hudson Employment Index (SM) for African-Americans rose 2.3 points to register 90.5, while the reading for Hispanics jumped 8.3 points to 103.3. The composite Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all races and ethnicities, gained 4.6 points to register at 105.8.
Worker confidence in Pennsylvania fell in July, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) dropped 4.2 points to 104.2. The latest measure of worker sentiment is virtually the same as last July, when the state’s Index was 104.1. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across the country, rose 4.6 points in July to 105.8.
After two consecutive months of decline, confidence among workers in the legal sector climbed as their Hudson Employment Index (SM) rose 5.8 points to 117.8. More workers expressing job satisfaction drove the increase. The latest reading is also higher than last July’s Index of 113.0. The composite Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all sectors, rebounded in July, raising 4.6 points to 105.8.
Chicago worker confidence held steady in July, as the city’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) shifted up .2 points to 85.5. Finance and job security concerns continue to weigh on workers in the Windy City. Chicago’s latest reading is more than 10 points lower than last July, when it registered 96.3. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, rose 4.6 points to 105.8 in July.
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Texas workers inched down .9 points to 125.8 in July. More anticipated layoffs drove the decline. The latest reading is up nine points from last July’s Index of 116.8. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across the country, rose 4.6 points in July to 105.8.
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for healthcare workers jumped 7.8 points to 110.3 in July. Improved financial sentiments and decreased worry over job loss drove the increase. The latest Index is also 7.1 points higher than last July’s reading of 103.2. The composite Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all sectors, rebounded in July, raising 4.6 points to 105.8.
After two consecutive months of decline, confidence among IT professionals jumped in July, as the group’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) rose 8.4 points to 112.7. Increased financial sentiments coupled with decreased worry over job loss drove the rise. The latest reading is virtually the same as this time last year when the Index for IT workers was 112.5. The composite Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all sectors, rebounded in July, raising 4.6 points to 105.8.
Following a dramatic plunge in June, the Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Atlanta rose 7.1 points to 110.1 in July. Improved hiring plans contributed to the increase, but were offset by continued finance concerns. Atlanta’s latest reading falls shy of last July’s 115.6. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers, also rose 4.6 points to 105.8.
Marking the second consecutive increase, the Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Minneapolis-St. Paul rose 3.8 points to 109.5 in July. The Twin Cities’ reading registered 93 last July, well below the latest Index. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, also gained 4.6 points to 105.8 in July.
Worker confidence waned in DC for the second consecutive month in July, as the city’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) fell 4.2 points to 102.5. All factors contributing to the Index posted losses to trigger the drop. DC’s reading was 113.8 last July. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, rose 4.6 points 105.8 in July.
After plummeting in June, confidence among accounting and finance workers rebounded in July, as the group’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) rose 13.8 points to 120.1. Heightened optimism in finances, increased hiring expectations and less anticipated layoffs drove the increase. The latest reading for this group is 13.5 points higher than last July’s reading of 106.6. The composite Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all sectors, also rebounded in July, raising 4.6 points to 105.8.
Dallas worker confidence increased in July, as the Hudson Employment Index (SM) rose six points to 120.7. Nearly all contributing factors improved in July, expect for hiring expectations. The city’s latest Index is more than 17 points higher than last July’s 103.2. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers, climbed 4.6 points to 105.8.
New York City worker confidence improved in July, as the city’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) rose 3.8 points to 92.7. Improved job satisfaction and confidence in finances triggered the rise. The Big Apple’s latest reading is just a couple points higher than last July’s 90.4. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers, also gained 4.6 points to 105.8.
Worker confidence fell for the third consecutive month in Philadelphia, as the city’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) dropped 5.1 points to 94.1 in July. All factors contributing to the measure of worker confidence played a role in the decline. The latest reading is more than five points shy of last July’s Index of 99.3. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, rose 4.6 points to 105.8 in July.
