Local business confidence rebounded in November from its lowest level since the index began, possibly a result of clear-eyed reassessment following the rancorous presidential election campaign, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce reported.
The group’s Business Outlook Index shot up from 9 in October to 18, with retail businesses jumping in confidence from 8 to 25. But the chamber noted gains were unevenly distributed, and that pessimism lingers in areas including hospitality, restaurants and transportation-related companies.
“With the election season behind us, the San Diego business community has regained optimism and is looking ahead to 2017 with the outlook just a point shy of the year-long average of 19,” Dino D’Auria, executive vice president and chief banking officer at index sponsor Silvergate Bank, said in a Dec. 21 news release.
The index has fluctuated more than normal in 2016, and it remains well off its high of 27 in March. Overall, the gauge is below its range in recent years.
