Construction employment expanded in 215 metro areas, declined in 80 and was stagnant in 44 between June 2013 and June 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that uncertainty about a range of federal infrastructure and construction programs could weigh on future growth for the sector. “Contractors have been expanding their work force in about two-thirds of the country for several months in a row,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Some metro areas are adding workers at a strong clip, but the gains remain … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation releases the July 2014 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry. Designed to collect leadership data, the index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $827-billion equipment finance sector. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 61.4, unchanged from the June MCI-EFI.   When asked about the outlook for the future, MCI-EFI survey respondent Adam D. Warner, president, key equipment finance and chairman of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, said, “I don’t believe … Read more