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Nevada continues to experience favorable economic conditions. Jobs are up by 6.4 percent over the last year in the Silver State. In addition, taxable sales and gaming revenue are up by more than 10 percent on an annualized basis. Not surprisingly, Nevada’s unemployment rate is at 4 percent, a full 1.2 percent less than the rate for the U.S. In comparison, U.S. job growth is up … [Read more...] about July 2005: Business Indicators

Not surprisingly, U.S. growth in spring 2005 turned more moderate. Coming after a period of sustained recovery, slower growth suggests the economy is undergoing mid-cycle adjustments. These adjustments come about as the pace of inflation picks up and growth slows, a typical mid-cycle pattern. The numbers, however, do not foretell a downturn – as some pessimists are prone to … [Read more...] about June 2005: Business Indicators

U.S. job growth is up 1.8 percent over a year ago, with the U.S. unemployment rate hovering in the mid-5 percent range. This is an improvement from last year’s conditions, particularly for job growth. Still, job conditions in Nevada remain better than nationally, and have done so for some time. Job growth in Nevada increased briskly during the last year, up 6.8, 7.6 and 5.2 … [Read more...] about May 2005: Business Indicators

After a belated delay, the U.S. job recovery from the 2001 recession became evident in late 2004. The recovery showed up much later than many expected based on past experience. Without a clear recovery in jobs, there remained an uneasiness about the sustainability of the ongoing expansion. At the end of the year, the annual growth rate in jobs showed a 1.7 percent increase from … [Read more...] about April 2005: Business Indicators

Nevada experienced a year of strong growth in 2004. From January to December, each month’s year-over-year percentage growth exceeded 10 percent. Moreover, the Silver State did not suffer the midyear soft spot the U. S. economy experienced. In short, Nevada’s performance was outstanding. By year’s end, Nevada’s employment was up 4.8 percent for the year. Clark County and … [Read more...] about March 2005: Business Indicators

Nevada continues to post robust rates of growth. Taxable sales, gaming revenue and air passenger volume grew at double-digit rates over year-ago levels. Moreover, these rates have held throughout 2004. It is hard to believe the expansion could be better. Therefore, it will be nearly impossible to sustain such rates of growth much longer, unfortunately. Still, though slower … [Read more...] about February 2005: Business Indicators

Nevada remains atop the list of states with favorable economic performance. Gauging performance by the utilization of labor resources, one would be hard pressed to envision a better situation. Nevada’s unemployment rate for October dipped to 3.4 percent, well within the desired range. Despite the good news for the Silver State, the U.S. unemployment rate holds at 5.5 percent, … [Read more...] about January 2005: Business Indicators

U.S. economic expansion slowed at mid-year, largely as a result of rising fuel prices, which rose 30 percent this year as a result of reduced supply, increased demand and the prospect of future shortages and markedly higher prices. Still, current oil prices in excess of $50 a barrel are lower today than in 1980, when a barrel of oil cost more than $80 in today’s money. Based on … [Read more...] about December 2004: Business Indicators

Nevada indicators generally reveal expansion. Only gaming revenue and visitor volume are below year-ago levels for July. Otherwise, the other indicators show positive performance. Most notably, the total number of jobs is up, growing at a 4.4 percent rate in the Silver State compared with 1.3 percent for the U.S. Moreover, Nevada has seen solid growth rates over the past year … [Read more...] about November 2004: Business Indicators

After having experienced a few quarters of exhilarating economic news, the U.S. economy declared an intermission to strong growth. Sudden changes in oil-market conditions left users scrambling for supplies and reevaluating future availabilities. Geopolitical conditions likely to create new problems remain a concern. Oil prices, forecasted to be in the $30-a-barrel range for … [Read more...] about October 2004: Business Indicators

Continued economic expansion in U.S. and world markets has put Nevada indicators in a favorable light. The Silver State’s latest unemployment rate stands at 4.4 percent, down from 5.7 percent a year ago. It is now at a level thought by many to represent a fully-employed economy. More than 48,000 jobs were created during the past 12 months; job growth was up 4.8 percent in Clark … [Read more...] about September 2004: Business Indicators

U.S. employment, at least as measured by business’ payroll records, revealed weakness in the months after the November 2001 business cycle trough. The most recent data for May 2004 show annual employment growth of 1.0 percent, however. In short, the U.S. employment picture has brightened in 2004. The Nevada employment situation, on the other hand, recovered more quickly than … [Read more...] about August 2004: Business Indicators

With interest rates pushed to some of the lowest levels in recent memory and with federal deficits returning to high levels over the past few years, it was only a matter of time before concern about inflation materialized. The recession and aftermath of September 11th created concern for falling prices, particularly for wealth-holding assets other than stocks; the appropriate … [Read more...] about July 2004: Business Indicators

Prices for bond futures have declined recently, job numbers are up and spending continues unabated – all suggesting economic expansion. Federal Reserve Chairman Greenspan recently announced that interest-rate hikes on federal funds should be expected. In short, the evidence points to stronger growth in 2004. Since national economic recovery began in November 2001, many … [Read more...] about June 2004: Business Indicators

The U.S. economy continues to experience the weakest job recovery since World War II. Jobs remain below the last peak level of spring 2001. Jobs increased by only 0.1 percent over the past year. Productivity gains, shifting global manufacturing operations, shortage of raw materials, political uncertainties and rising fuel prices have kept U.S. job growth off its historical … [Read more...] about May 2004: Business Indicators