January VBR/EPR Survey Results Released (Jan. 2016)

The VBR/EPR Business Conditions Survey for the fourth quarter of 2015/first quarter of 2016 has been released.  Most responses to the question about the state’s overall business climate outlook were neutral (42%).  The remaining responses were evenly split between optimistic (29%) and pessimistic (29%).  More than 60 percent of respondents (62%) shared negative outlooks specifically with ease of hiring for available positions. The construction sector had the most optimistic outlook on the general business climate while the utilities sector had the least optimistic outlook. For this reporting period the diffusion index shows a slight upturn in optimism from Q3 2015 to Q4 2015 indicating that Vermont CEOs continue to feel neutral to mildly optimistic about the business climate for the coming three months.

The Business Conditions Survey is conducted in partnership between the Vermont Business Roundtable and Economic & Policy Resources.  The nine question survey of the 97 members of the Vermont Business Roundtable captures a glimpse of how Vermont business leaders see the state economy.  The survey asks business leaders how  their businesses have fared in the recent past and how they view the future.  Sentiments regarding the current and expected business climate and the expected impact on hiring and investing decisions are also surveyed.   Included in the standard survey is a question asking roundtable members for opinions on a current debate in public policy.   Along with providing a snapshot of the Vermont business climate the survey allows Vermonters to see how these markers change over time.

Watch EPR\'s Amanda Wassel discuss the survey on Channel 17: https://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/vermont-business-roundtableepr-business-conditions-survey-4th-quarter-results-2015

Read more on Vermont Digger: http://vtdigger.org/2016/01/28/business-conditions-survey-results-show-neutral-outlook/

The Press Release is available as a PDF below.