Modest Uptick in Nebraska Leading Indicator

A July increase in Nebraska’s leading economic indicator suggests consistent economic growth for Nebraska through the end of 2015 and into 2016.

The modest increase of 0.17% is the fifth increase in the last six months.

August 2015 Leading Economic Indicator Nebraska

“The July increase resulted from positive business expectations, an increase in passenger enplanements, and growth in single-family home building permits,” said economist Eric Thompson, director of the Bureau of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Respondents to the July Survey of Nebraska Business were positive about growth in sales and employment at their businesses over the next six months.”

Among other components of the leading indicator, there was a decline in manufacturing hours during July. There also was a sharp increase in the value of the U.S. dollar during the month. “A rising U.S. dollar creates challenges for Nebraska’s export-oriented businesses,” said Thompson. “It will be important to track whether the value of the U.S. dollar continues to rise.”