Every element of Massachusetts employer confidence is lower than it was a year ago after a tumultuous August of escalating trade tensions sank business sentiment, an Associated Industries of Massachusetts survey found.
Associated Industries of Massachusetts, in releasing its monthly index readings on Tuesday, said signs of a “cyclical global slowdown” and labor force constraints were behind a 0.3 percent drop in its business confidence index
Confidence in the economy among Massachusetts businesses mirrors the economy itself, Global Economics Executive Director Sara Johnson said: “slowing a bit but still strong overall.”
Employers in Massachusetts felt more optimistic about the state’s economic outlook in September than they have all year.
After stepping back in April from March’s 16-year high-water mark, business confidence rebounded in May amid optimism for the next six months, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) reported Tuesday.
