Economic Indicators
The Gardner Institute provides economic indicators for the U.S. and Utah, publishes an economics dashboard, administers the monthly consumer sentiment survey, produces Utah Informed, and prepares the annual Economic Report to the Governor.
January 2022 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment rose by 1.5 points from December to January, increasing to 76.9, according to the Kem C. Gardner Institute’s Utah Consumer Sentiment Survey. This slight increase is coming from Utahns' responses in January of feeling better off financially compared to a year ago and improvements on long-term outlooks.
December 2021 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment declined by 1.5 points from November to December, decreasing to a year low of 75.4, according to the Kem C. Gardner Institute’s Utah Consumer Sentiment Survey. Utah consumer confidence has steadily declined from year highs experienced in March, as Utahns are increasingly becoming concerned about inflation and new waves of COVID variants.
November 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence
Utah’s consumer sentiment fell in November, according to the Kem C. Gardner Institute’s Utah Consumer Confidence Survey. The University of Michigan measured a similar decline among Americans as a whole
October 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence
Utah’s consumer sentiment was largely unchanged between September and October, according to the Kem C. Gardner Institute’s Utah Consumer Confidence Survey. In their survey representing Americans as a whole, the University of Michigan likewise found little change over the prior month.
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, 2nd Quarter 2021
Construction activity continued its record-breaking momentum into the second quarter of 2021. As the economy recovered, the rebound in commercial activity added to the record-setting residential market. The total permit-authorized construction value in Utah during the first half of 2021 was $6.71 billion, an increase of 35.2% over last year and a year-to-date record.
September 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence
The Gardner Institute measured a modest gain in Utah’s consumer sentiment during September, following two months of sharp declines. The University of Michigan found an increase of similar magnitude among Americans as a whole.
August 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence
The Gardner Institute survey of consumer sentiment measured a substantial decline in sentiment among Utahns between July and August of 2021. An even larger decline was reported by the University of Michigan based on their survey of Americans as a whole.
July 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence
The Gardner Institute survey of consumer sentiment finds sentiment among Utahns fell between June and July of 2021. The University of Michigan reports comparable declines among Americans as a whole.
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, First Quarter 2021
Construction activity continued its record-setting pace in an unconventional economic environment. Through the first three months of 2021 total permitted construction value reached $3.4 billion, a record and a 37.1% increase over the same time period from 2020. The record-breaking quarter was led by a surge in residential construction activity. Residential construction value reached $2.0 billion in the first quarter of 2021, surpassing last year’s record by 32.2%. Nonresidential construction value surged by 47.1% from Q1 2020 to $0.8 billion. Additions, alterations, and repairs permitted values increased 41.5% from 2020 to $0.6 billion, also a record.
June 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence
Our survey finds consumer sentiment among Utahns held steady from May to June. A similar survey by the University of Michigan, but concerning all Americans, measured a gain in sentiment over the same time period.