Business confidence up, but recovery called 'slow and halting'
Employer confidence in Massachusetts rose in January for the third straight month but remains barely in positive territory, according to survey results released February 7. With readings higher than 50 points considered in positive territory, January's Associated Industries of Massachusetts business confidence index checked in at 52.8. That's up 6.4 points over the past three months. Business confidence in Massachusetts remains weaker than a year ago, when the index registered a 55.2 reading. According to AIM, that was "before the U.S. deficit deadlock and the European debt crisis sent the economy reeling." Read more here.