UA Center for Business and Economic Research

09/03/2026

🤔 SO…WHAT EXACTLY IS THE ABCI?

The Alabama Business Confidence Index™ is more than a number.

It's a forward-looking measure of what Alabama business leaders expect to happen next quarter compared with the current quarter.

Here's the simple rule:
🔴 Below 50: Negative outlook
⚪ 50: Neutral outlook
🟢 Above 50: Positive outlook

And the closer the number gets to 100, the more confident the forecast.

The ABCI brings six different pieces of the business environment together—from sales and profits to hiring, capital spending and expectations for the Alabama and U.S. economies.

That means Alabama business leaders can look beyond today's headlines and see what other leaders are expecting next.

And this September, we're doing it for the 100th time.

09/01/2026

Today marks the opening of the 100th ABCI survey—a milestone nearly 25 years in the making.

Since 2002, the Alabama Business Confidence Index™ has captured the expectations of business leaders across the state, providing a forward-looking snapshot of where Alabama businesses see the economy and their industries heading next.

And it all comes down to six key indicators:
📈 Alabama Economy
🇺🇸 U.S. Economy
💰 Industry Sales
📊 Industry Profits
👥 Industry Hiring
🏗️ Industry Capital Expenditures

The ABCI transforms those expectations into one easy-to-understand measure of business confidence.

The 100th survey opens September 1 and runs through September 15.

Be a part of the milestone. Be a part of the data. Be a part of Alabama's business story.

08/03/2026

The Center for Business and Economic Research has relocated to a new office building!

07/23/2026

Are you missing out on being in the know?

Don't miss getting all the updates on what and where our CBER team is up to. Make sure to sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss out.

Sign Up Here: https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/2097491/2062681/

02/18/2026

CBER shared findings from "The Cost of Child Maltreatment to the Alabama Economy, 2023" report at the Children's Trust Fund Presentation in Montgomery.

State legislators and community leaders gathered to recognize prevention efforts across Alabama. The Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention's Children's Trust Fund was awarded $11.9 million in grants to 180 community based programs statewide.

See WSFA-TV news coverage here:

The Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention presented nearly $12M to organizations working to prevent child abuse and neglect in Alabama.For...

12/02/2025

IT'S TIME!! The 2026 Alabama Economic Outlook Conference registration is open!

The conference will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Birmingham Branch from 11:30am - 1:30pm.

Reserve your seat today! https://universityofalabama.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1TzyOn6J1lq4zL8

11/13/2025

UA continues to be an economic driver for the state as its flagship university set record high economic and fiscal impacts for 2023-2024.

11/05/2025

Mark your calendars now for the 2026 Alabama Economic Outlook Conference. This year's conference is in partnership with the Alabama Economics Club. Registration details to come.

Stay updated on Conference Details Here → https://cber.culverhouse.ua.edu/alabama-economic-outlook/

10/07/2025

09/10/2025

Do you like to conduct surveys for research and manage data collection processes?

is looking to hire a Project Coordinator for the Capstone Poll. Application closes September 16th. APPLY HERE → https://careers.ua.edu/jobs/ff787366-ae72-41f6-89b1-b97f1cafb4d3