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Market intelligence for North Carolina

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About Us

Independent research. North Carolina only.

Lighthouse Research is a market intelligence firm with an exclusive focus on our home state of North Carolina. Our mission is to support the state's business and investment community by offering detailed, unbiased insight into current and future market conditions. Our research is not commissioned, funded, or influenced by any outside organization. We exist to simply measure and report what our market is saying.

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Now Available

The Lighthouse Report — Q1 2026

Our flagship quarterly publication provides a comprehensive look at North Carolina's economic landscape — tracking consumer sentiment, business confidence, labor market conditions, investment activity, and firm profitability. Based on surveys of over 1,000 consumers and 333 business decision-makers, the Lighthouse Report delivers the data your organization needs to plan with confidence.

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Next data release: April 13, 2026


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Consumer Sentiment
How NC households assess their current financial situation and what they expect over the next six months — by age and income group
Business Confidence
How firms across key industries rate current conditions, near-term outlook, and investment intentions — by sector and firm size
Spending & Investment Intent
Whether consumers are ready for major purchases and whether businesses view now as a good time to invest
Regional Breakdown
How conditions and outlooks vary across the Triangle, Triad, Charlotte metro, and the rest of North Carolina

What We Do

Research designed for decision-makers

Our specialized market intelligence is designed to meet the needs of industry, government, educational, and nonprofit organizations across North Carolina. Our research directly addresses the questions facing decision-makers in many fields.

Business Confidence

How optimistic are business leaders about growth, hiring, and investment? We measure sentiment across industries and firm sizes.

Consumer Sentiment

Understand whether consumers are spending or pulling back — and what that means for your marketing, pricing, and planning.

Demand Forecasting

Anticipate consumer demand and price sensitivity to inform investment decisions, product strategy, and pricing.

Labor Market Health

Are firms hiring or holding? How are compensation pressures shifting? We track the signals that shape workforce strategy.

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