The Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for a nine-state region stretching from Arkansas to North Dakota, dipped a bit in March, but is still very healthy.
The Business Conditions Index, which ranges between 0 and 100, slipped to 60.1 from February’s strong 60.5. This is the fourth straight month the index has advanced above growth neutral.
Ernie Goss, director of Creighton University’s Economic Forecasting Group says he is looking for continued business expansion
The March employment index remained above growth neutral soaring to 62.6 from February’s solid 55.6, and up from January’s 57.0. Goss says that is on a solid path
Goss says about sixty three percent of firms expect to increase hiring in the next six months.
Goss says the wholesale inflation gauge remained in a range indicating rising inflationary pressures at the wholesale level as the prices-paid index increased to 77.1, its highest level in six years and up from 75.0 in February
Goss says looking ahead six months, economic optimism, as captured by the March business confidence index, declined slightly to 70.2 from 71.3 in February.
(WNAX)