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Results Of The November Survey Of Nebraska Business: December 12, 2014, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Summary: Respondents to the November 2014 Survey of Nebraska Business maintained an optimistic outlook for sales and employment. November respondents were much more likely to expect sales to rise (29%) than fall (19%) at their business over the next six months and more likely to plan to increase employment (14%) than to reduce it (4%). Within the state, respondents from the Omaha area and Southeast Nebraska were the most optimistic, particularly about sales. Respondents from Central Nebraska were close to state averages. Respondents in Northeast Nebraska and West Nebraska had a neutral rather than optimistic outlook. When asked about the …

Results Of The October Survey Of Nebraska Business: November 7, 2014, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Summary: Respondents to the October 2014 Survey of Nebraska Business regained an optimistic outlook for sales and employment. October respondents were much more likely to expect sales to rise (30%) than fall (18%) at their business over the next six months and more likely to plan to increase employment (11%) than to reduce it (7%). This outlook was much more optimistic than the mixed outlook reported in September. Within the state, respondents from the Omaha area were the most optimistic in their outlook for sales and employment over the next six months. Respondents from Southeast and Central Nebraska were only …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: November 21, 2014, Eric Thompson, William Walstad

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Summary: The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) fell by 0.10% during October 2014. The slight decline in the LEI-N, which predicts economic growth in the state six months in the future, is the second consecutive decline and suggests that Nebraska economic growth will moderate. In particular, state economic growth is expected to slow in the first four months of 2015. Two components contributed to the decline in the leading economic indicator in October. First, there was a significant increase in the value of the U.S. Dollar. Such an increase reduces the competiveness of exporters in Nebraska and throughout the …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: October 17, 2014, Eric Thompson, William Walstad

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Summary: The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) fell by 0.45% during September 2014. The decline in the LEI-N, which predicts economic growth in the state six months in the future, is the second in three months and suggests that Nebraska economic growth will slow. In particular, state economic growth is expected to slow in the first quarter of 2015. Three components contributed to the decline in the leading economic indicator in September. Most importantly, there was a significant increase in the value of the U.S. Dollar. Such an increase reduces the competiveness of exporters in Nebraska and throughout the …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: September 19, 2014, Eric Thompson, William Walstad

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Summary: The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) rose by 1.37% during August 2014. The rise in the LEI-N, which predicts economic growth in the state six months in the future, is the fifth in six months. The increase in the LEI-N represents a strong upward bounce after a decline during July. Taking to two months together, results suggest that Nebraska should experience solid economic growth during the first few months of 2015. Three components contributed to the rise in the leading economic indicator in August. Single-family building permits rose during August while initial unemployment claims declined. Both measures improved …

Results Of The August Survey Of Nebraska Business: September 5, 2014, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Summary: Respondents to the August 2014 Survey of Nebraska Business remain positive in their outlook for sales and employment at their business. More respondents expect sales to rise (28%) than decline (20%) in the next six months. Similarly, more expect to increase (13%) rather than reduce (7%) employment. These August results were very consistent with findings from July and mark the seventh consecutive month in which Nebraska businesses held a positive outlook. Within the state, respondents located in Southeast Nebraska were especially positive in their outlook for sales and employment. Respondents from Northeast Nebraska and West Nebraska had only limited …

Results Of The September Survey Of Nebraska Business: October 3, 2014, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Summary: Respondents to the September 2014 Survey of Nebraska Business are far less optimistic about sales and employment than in recent months. The overall outlook is mixed. More respondents expect to increase (9%) employment rather than reduce (7%) it over the next 6 months. However, more expect sales to fall (26%) than rise (23%). Within the state, respondents from the Omaha area and Central Nebraska are solidly optimistic in their outlook for sales and employment. By contrast, respondents from Northeast Nebraska and West Nebraska anticipate a decline in employment and sales. When asked about the most important issue facing their …

Results Of The July Survey Of Nebraska Business: August 1, 2014, Eric Thompson, Shannon Mcclure

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Respondents to the July 2014 Survey of Nebraska Business remain positive in their outlook for sales and employment at their business. More respondents expect sales to rise (29%) than decline (20%) in the next six months. Similarly, more expect to increase (13%) rather than reduce (6%) employment. These July results mark the sixth consecutive month in which Nebraska businesses held a positive outlook, although the outlook was somewhat less positive than in June. Within the state, respondents located in Southeast Nebraska were especially positive in their outlook for sales and employment, respondents from Omaha had a similar outlook as businesses …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: August 15, 2014, Eric Thompson, William Walstad, Shannon Mcclure

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Summary: The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) fell by .75% during July 2014. The decline in the LEI-N, which predicts economic growth in the state six months in the future, is the first in six months. The decline suggests that economic growth may slow in Nebraska in early 2015 after strong growth in the second half of 2014. Three components contributed to the decline in the leading economic indicator in July. There was a decline in manufacturing hours and in single-family building permits during the month. There also was an increase in initial claims for unemployment insurance during July. …

Results Of The June Survey Of Nebraska Business: July 3, 2014, Eric Thompson, Shannon Mcclure

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Summary: Respondents to the June 2014 Survey of Nebraska Business are positive in their outlook for sales and employment at their business. More respondents expect sales to rise (33%) than decline (18%) in the next six months. Similarly, more expect to increase (16%) rather than reduce (3%) employment. These June results mark the fifth consecutive month in which Nebraska businesses held a positive outlook. Within the state, respondents located in the Omaha Metropolita Area were especially positive in their outlook for sales. As might be expected during a period of growth, businesses were very focused on the individual challenges facing …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: July 18, 2014, Eric Thompson, William Walstad, Shannon Mcclure

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) rose by 1.01% during June 2014. The rise in the LEI-N, which predicts economic growth in the state six months in the future, is the fifth consecutive monthly increase. Cumulatively, these increases provide reliable evidence of solid growth in the Nebraska economy in the second half of 2014. Positive business expectations are a key reason for the improvement in the LEI-N. Specifically, June respondents to the Survey of Nebraska Business predict a strong increase in both sales and employment at their business over the next six month. There also was a decline in …

Results Of The May Survey Of Nebraska Business: June 13, 2014, Eric Thompson, Shannon Mcclure, Mihdi Vahedi

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Respondents to the May 2014 Survey of Nebraska Business remained positive in their outlook for sales and employment at their business. More respondents expect sales to rise (29%) than decline (17%) in the next six months. Slightly more respondents expect to add (7%) than to reduce (4%) employment. Respondents also are more focused on the market challenges facing their businesses. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, 6.5 in 10 focused on core business operations issues such as customer demand, the cost of supplies, labor quality, competition, improved business practices, and credit availability. 3.5 in 10 focused …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: June 20, 2014, Eric Thompson, William Walstad, Shannon Mcclure

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) rose by 0.13% during May 2014. The rise in the LEI-N, which predicts economic growth in the state six months in the future, is the fourth consecutive monthly increase and provides further reason to expect solid growth in the Nebraska economy in the second half of 2014. Among the growing components of the leading economic indicator, there was growth in manufacturing hours and airline passenger counts. There also was solid improvement in business expectations. Specifically, respondents to the Survey of Nebraska Business predicted an increase in sales at their business over the next …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: May 16, 2014, Eric Thompson, William Walstad, Shannon Mcclure, Mihdi Vahedi

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) rose by 1.89% during April 2014. The rise in the LEI-N, which predicts economic growth in the state six months in the future, suggests solid growth in the Nebraska economy in the second half of 2014. Among the growing components of the leading economic indicator, there was a sharp drop in initial unemployent claims, suggesting solid improvement in labor market conditions. There also was solid improvement in business expectations. Specifically, respondents to the Survey of Nebraska Business predicted an increase in sales and employment at their business over the next six month. At …

Results Of The April Survey Of Nebraska Business: May 9, 2014, Eric Thompson, Shannon Mcclure, Mihdi Vahedi

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Respondents to the April 2014 Survey of Nebraska Business remained positive in their outlook for sales and employment at their business. More respondents expected sales to rise (31%) than decline (18%) in the next six months. Further, more respondents expected to add (10%) than to reduce (4%) employment. Respondents also were more focused on the market challenges facing their businesses. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, 6.5 in 10 focused on core business operations issues such as customer demand, the cost of supplies, labor quality, competition, improved business practices, and credit availability. 3.5 in 10 focused …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: April 18, 2014, Eric Thompson, William Walstad, Shannon Mcclure, Mihdi Vahedi

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) declined by 0.07% during March 2014. The slight decline in the LEI-N, which predicts economic growth in the state six months in the future, followed a solid increase in February. Together, results for the two months are consistent with moderate growth in the Nebraska economy during the summer of 2014. Among the components of the leading economic indicator, there was an increase in initial unemployent claims, suggesting a weakening of labor market conditions. At the same time, there was solid improvement in business expectations. Specifically, respondents to the Survey of Nebraska Business predicted …

Results Of The February Survey Of Nebraska Business: March 10, 2014, Eric Thompson, Shannon Mcclure, Mihdi Vahedi

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Summary: Respondents to the February 2014 Survey of Nebraska Business turned positive in their outlook for sales and employment at their business. More respondents expected sales to rise (28%) than decline (24%) in the next six months. Further, many more respondents expected to add employees (13%) than to reduce employees (5%). Respondents also were more focused on the market challenges facing their businesses. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, nearly 6 in 10 focused on core business issues such as customer demand, the cost of supplies, labor quality and competition while out only 4 in 10 …

Results Of The January Survey Of Nebraska Business: February 12, 2014, Eric Thompson, Shannon Mcclure, Mihdi Vahedi

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Summary: Respondents to the January Survey of Nebraska Business were cautious in their outlook for sales and employment at their own business. More respondents expected sales to decline (29%) than rise (21%) in the next six months while slighly more expected to add employees (7%) than to reduce employees (6%). When asked about the most important issue facing their business, half of businesses named ongoing business concerns such as customer demand, competition, the costs of goods and services and labor availability and quality. But, nearly as many businesses named public policy concerns including taxes, the Affordable Care Act and other …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: March 21, 2014, Eric Thompson, William Walstad, Shannon Mcclure, Mihdi Vahedi

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) increased by 0.99% during February 2014. The increase in the LEI-N, which predicts economic growth in the state six months in the future, suggests moderate growth in the Nebraska economy during the summer of 2014. Four of six components of the leading economic indicator grew during February. Manufacturing hours and airline passenger counts both rose modestly. Initial unemployment claims dropped significantly in February, a positive sign for the labor market. There was also a solid improvement in business expectations. Respondents to the Survey of Nebraska Business predicted an increase in sales and employment …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: February 21, 2014, Eric Thompson, William Walstad, Shannon Mcclure, Mihdi Vahedi

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) decreased by 0.95% during January 2014. The decrease in the LEI-N, which predicts economic growth in the state six months in the future, follows a strong increase in December 2013. Taken together, LEI-N results for the last two months suggest continued improvement in the Nebraska economy, specifically moderate growth in mid-2014. Five of six components of the leading economic indicator declined during January. There was a decline in building permits and airline passengers. Initial unemployment claims increased slightly in January, a negative sign for the labor market. There was a modest decline in …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: January 17, 2014, Eric Thompson, William Walstad, Shannon Mcclure, Mihdi Vahedi

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) increased by 0.78% during December 2013. The increase in the LEI-N, which predicts economic growth in the state six months in the future, follows a decline in November. Taken together, recent results for the LEI-N suggest that the Nebraska economy will grow only modestly in the second quarter of 2014, but that the rate of growth may begin to improve in June, as summer begins. During December, four components of the leading economic indicator expanded and two declined. Among expanding components, there was a solid increse in single-family building permits, consistent with the …

Quarterly Business Indicators: 2nd Quarter 2014, Lincoln Partnership For Economic Development

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Summary of Business Conditions

►The Quarterly Business Indicators for the 2nd quarter of 2014 show a surging Lincoln economy. Nearly all segments of the Lincoln MSA economy are growing, and many growing strongly.

►The Lincoln MSA unemployment rate continues to decline (Figure 1) and remains less than half of the U.S. rate (Figure 2). Employment growth is very strong. Non-farm employment, which is measured via a survey of business, grew by a rapid 2.6% in the Lincoln MSA between the 2nd quarter of 2013 and 2014 (Figure 4). Local employment estimates based on a survey of households indicated 1.6% growth …

Quarterly Business Indicators 3rd Quarter 2014, Unl Bureau Of Business Research

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Quarterly Business Indicators for the 3rd quarter of 2014 continue to show a surging Lincoln economy. Most segments of the Lincoln MSA economy are growing, and many are growing rapidly.

The Lincoln MSA unemployment rate continues to decline (Figure 1) and remains half of the U.S. rate (Figure 2). Employment growth is strong. Non-farm employment, which is measured via a survey of business, grew by 2.6% in the Lincoln MSA between the 3rd quarter of 2013 and 2014 (Figure 4).

Among individual industries, construction, manufacturing, other financial services (primarily banking), health care and education, and state government employment all …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: December 19, 2014, Eric Thompson, William Walstad

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) fell by 1.33% during November 2014. The sharp decline in the LEI-N, which predicts economic growth in the state six months in the future, suggests that economic growth will slow during the second quarter of 2015. Four of six components of the leading economic indicator weakened during November. For the fourth consecutive month, there was a significant increase in the value of the U.S. Dollar. Such an increase reduces the competiveness of export businesses. There also was an increase in initial unemployment claims during the month. Further, airline passenger counts and building permits …