The Leeds Business Confidence Index (LBCI) Q4 2026
The Leeds Business Confidence Index (LBCI) captures Colorado business leaders’ expectations for the national and state economy, industry sales, profits, hiring, and capital expenditures. The index decreased 2.5 points from Q3 2026 to Q4 2026. All six components of the index decreased from Q3 to Q4, but all components were up when compared to Q4 2025. Each component remained below the neutral value of 50, indicating that business leaders continue to hold pessimistic expectations. While industry sales recorded the highest index level in Q4, industry sales also recorded the largest decrease in the index from Q3 to Q4 2026. The overall index decreased from 43.2 reported last quarter to 40.7 in the current survey, and confidence improved marginally looking ahead to Q1 2027.
Business leader confidence reiterated a perception of pessimism heading into Q4 2026. Panelists were asked to provide reasons for their expectations ahead of Q4 2026. The most frequently cited reason was political and government influences, mentioned by 46% of panelists. This was followed by inflation and cost of living concerns (39%) and interest rates and financial market conditions conflict (31%). Many of the leading concerns are mutually reinforcing, with the political environment, cost of living, and financial market conditions contributing to continued business pessimism.
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