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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.

108, 2021

August 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence

August 1st, 2021|

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.

2107, 2021

July 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence

July 21st, 2021|

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.

2806, 2021

Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, First Quarter 2021

June 28th, 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.

106, 2021

June 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence

June 1st, 2021|

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.

105, 2021

May 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence

May 1st, 2021|

Our survey finds consumer sentiment among Utahns fell in May. A similar survey by the University of Michigan, but concerning all Americans, also measured a decrease in sentiment during May. Table 1 shows responses to questions that define “sentiment” for Utah (Gardner Institute survey) and the U.S. as a whole (from the University of Michigan).

104, 2021

April 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence

April 1st, 2021|

Our survey finds that consumer sentiment among Utahns held steady in April following a large gain in March. A similar survey by the University of Michigan, but concerning all Americans, found sentiment increasing in April, though at a slower rate than in March.

1503, 2021

Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, Fourth Quarter 2020

March 15th, 2021|

The year 2020 was record-breaking for construction in the state of Utah. Total permitted construction value reached $11.0 billion for the year, a number that doesn’t reflect the economic challenges faced by the rest of the economy. The record-breaking year was led by a surge in residential construction activity. Residential construction value reached $6.7 billion in 2020, surpassing the previous 2006 record. Nonresidential construction value declined 3.4% from 2019 to $2.5 billion. Addition, alteration, and repair permitted values increased 31.2% from 2019 to $1.9 billion, also a record

103, 2021

March 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence

March 1st, 2021|

Our survey shows that consumer sentiment among Utahns continued to climb between February and March 2021. A similar survey by the University of Michigan concerning all Americans shows strong gains in sentiment during the same time period.

2402, 2021

Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, Third Quarter 2020

February 24th, 2021|

Construction activity continued its momentum into the third quarter. Total permitted construction reached $8.01 billion for the period of January through September, a record and an increase of 9.4% from the same time period last year (Table 1). Residential construction values also set a record, increasing 10.7% from 2019 to $4.9 billion. Nonresidential construction overcame its slump in the first half of the year.

102, 2021

February 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence

February 1st, 2021|

Our survey shows an increase in consumer sentiment among Utahns between January and February 2021. This increase is driven by sharp gains in sentiment among females, those with college degrees, and particularly females with college degrees. A similar survey by the University of Michigan concerning all Americans finds sentiment fell during the same time period.