Business confidence in Massachusetts slid further in October, as companies grappled with rising prices, federal government disruptions, and ongoing uncertainty over tariffs, according to the Associated Industries of Massachusetts Business Confidence Index.

The last time the Business Confidence Index saw businesses report pessimistic territory for eight months was during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“The labor market is softening — employment has decelerated, and long-term unemployment has risen,” said Sara Johnson, chair of the AIM Board of Economic Advisors, which oversees the Business Confidence Index, in a statement.

“Because the labor market is a major pillar of consumer spending, any sign of widening job losses or weakening wage gains would be a red flag,” she continued.

The AIM

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