Regional Economics Commons^™

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: July 25, 2018, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) 1 fell by 0.40% during June of 2018. The decline in the LEI-N, which is designed to predict economic activity six months into the future, suggests that the pace of Nebraska economic growth will slow significantly during the 4th quarter of 2018. The indicator fell due to another sharp increase in the value of the U.S. dollar. A rising dollar puts additional pressure on Nebraska businesses which export. A decline in manufacturing hours and an increase in initial claims for unemployment insurance also contributed to the drop in the LEI-N. Business expectations were …

Nebraska Business And Consumer Confidence Indexes: July 6, 2018, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Business confidence surged in Nebraska during June 2018. The Business Confidence Index – Nebraska (BCI-N) rose from 102.4 in May to 115.4 In June. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) also rose, ticking up from 101.3 in May to 103.9 in June. The surge in business confidence is a significant improvement, especially since both business and consumer confidence had declined in Nebraska during April and May. With confidence high, businesses were concerned about costs and competition. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, customer demand was mentioned by 27 percent of respondents, while the availability and …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: June 20, 2018, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) 1 rose by just 0.26% during May of 2018. The increase in the LEI-N, which is designed to predict economic activity six months into the future, suggests that the pace of economic growth will slow in Nebraska during the 4th quarter of 2018. The LEI-N rose due to strong business expectations. In particular, respondents to the May Survey of Nebraska Business reported plans to increase both sales and employment at their businesses over the next six months. There also was an increase in manufacturing hours and passenger enplanements during May and a drop …

Nebraska Business And Consumer Confidence Indexes: June 1, 2018, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Consumer and business confidence fell in Nebraska during May 2018. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) fell to 101.3 in May from a value of 104.3 in April. Consumer confidence is now close to the neutral value of 100.0. The Business Confidence Index – Nebraska (BCI-N) fell to 102.4 in May from 104.8 In April. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, customer demand was mentioned by 36 percent of respondents, while the availability and quality of labor was mentioned as the most important issue by 21 percent. Households reported a variety of financial concerns with …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: May 23, 2018, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) 1 rose by 0.67% during April of 2018. The increase in the LEI-N, which is designed to predict economic activity six months into the future, suggests that the Nebraska economy will continue to grow through the 4th quarter of 2018. The LEI-N rose due to strong business expectations, an increase in airline passenger counts, and a drop in initial claims for unemployment insurance. In particular, respondents to the April Survey of Nebraska Business reported plans to increase both sales and employment at their businesses over the next six months. However, there were also …

Nebraska Business And Consumer Confidence Indexes: May 4, 2018, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) rose by 1.00% during January of 2019. The increase in the LEI-N, which is designed to predict economic activity six months into the future, implies solid economic growth in Nebraska into the third quarter of 2019. Strong business expectations were the primary reason for the increase in the leading indicator. Respondents to the January Survey of Nebraska Business reported plans to increase both sales and employment at their businesses over the next six months. The value of the U.S. dollar also dropped in January for the first time in a year, providing relief …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: April 25, 2018, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) 1 rose by 0.88% during March of 2018. The increase in the LEI-N, which is designed to predict economic activity six months into the future, suggests that the Nebraska economy will grow steadily through the summer of 2018. Strong business expectations, rising manufacturing hours and rising air passenger enplanements were the reasons for the LEI-N increase. Respondents to the March Survey of Nebraska Business reported plans to increase both sales and employment at their businesses over the next six months. Initial claims for unemployment insurance changed little during March but there was a …

Nebraska Business And Consumer Confidence Indexes: April 6, 2018, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Nebraska consumer and business confidence rose during March 2018. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) rose to 106.8 in March from a value of 101.6 in February. The Business Confidence Index – Nebraska (BCI-N) rose to 110.4 in March from 107.4 In February. Both March values are well above the neutral level of 100.0 suggesting that business and consumer confidence are strong. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, customer demand was mentioned by 35 percent of respondents, while the availability and quality of labor was mentioned as the most important issue by 23 percent. Another …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: March 21, 2018, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) 1 rose by 1.03% during February of 2018. The increase in the LEI-N, which is designed to predict economic activity six months into the future, suggests that the Nebraska economy will grow steadily through the third quarter of 2018. Solid business expectations and a strong labor market were the primary reasons for the increase in the LEI-N. Respondents to the February Survey of Nebraska Business reported plans to increase sales and employment at their businesses over the next six months. Further, there was a decline in initial claims for unemployment insurance during February, …

Nebraska Business And Consumer Confidence Indexes: March 9, 2018, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Nebraska consumer and business confidence fell during February 2018, dropping from the near-peak levels seen in January. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) fell to 101.6 in February from a value of 115.2 in January. The February value remains above the neutral level of 100.0. The Business Confidence Index – Nebraska (BCI-N) fell to 107.4 In February from 112.2 in January. Both monthly readings were well above the neutral value of 100.0 suggesting that business confidence remains strong. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, customer demand was mentioned by 38 percent of respondents. But, there …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: February 21, 2018, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) 1 rose by 1.18% during January of 2018. The increase in the LEI-N, which is designed to predict economic activity six months into the future, suggests that the Nebraska economy will grow steadily through the summer of 2018. A falling U.S. dollar, which is positive for Nebraska exporters, was one primary reason for the improvement in the leading indicator. The other was business expectations. Respondents to the January Survey of Nebraska Business reported plans to increase sales and employment at their businesses over the next six months. In terms of negative components, there …

Nebraska Business And Consumer Confidence Indexes: February 2, 2018, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Consumer and business confidence rebounded in Nebraska during January 2018. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) rose to 115.2, well above the neutral level of 100.0 and a value of 93.3 in December 2017. This is the highest level recorded for the CCI-N since it was first released in February of 2016. The Business Confidence Index – Nebraska (BCI-N) rose to 112.2 in January from 107.5 in December. Both monthly readings were well above the neutral value of 100.0. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, customer demand was mentioned by 40 percent of respondents. The …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: January 24, 2018, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) 1 rose by 0.83% during December of 2017. The increase in the LEI-N, which is designed to predict economic activity six months into the future, suggests that the Nebraska economy will grow steadily during the first half of 2018. The December increase primarily resulted from a rise in building permits for single-family homes and positive business expectations. In particular, respondents to the December Survey of Nebraska Business reported plans to increase sales and employment in the coming months. In terms of negative components, there was a decline in airline passenger counts during December.

Nebraska Business And Consumer Confidence Indexes: January 5, 2018, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Consumer and business confidence declined in Nebraska during December 2017. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) fell to 93.3 in December, well below the neutral level of 100.0. The index had reached a record level of 106.2 in November, but that high level of confidence was not sustained. The Business Confidence Index – Nebraska (BCI-N) fell from 114.1 in November to 107.5 in December. While lower, the December reading remains well above the neutral value of 100.0. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, customer demand was mentioned by 38 percent of respondents. The availability and …

The Impact Of Culture On Hispanic Entrepreneurs As Mediated By Motivation, Challenge, And Success, Valerie V. Ballesteros

Theses & Dissertations

In the modern economic environment, demographic shifts in U.S. population resulting from changing immigration, changing economic policies and environments, and growing socioeconomic disparity, scholarly research examining the business behavior of specific groups and the impact of behavior on the broader marketplace is valuable and necessary. Hispanic entrepreneurs, when compared to both minority and non-minority business-owners, started and flourished in successful business ownership at a greater growth rate than any other group (Davila, Mora, & Zeitlin, 2014). Since the beginning of the 21st century, Hispanic entrepreneurs have become a measurable economic force. The cultural experience of the Hispanic entrepreneur is important …

Nebraska Business And Consumer Confidence Index: December 1, 2017, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Consumer and business confidence surged in Nebraska during November. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) rose to 106.2 in November from 95.1 in October. The November value is well above the neutral level of 100.0. Likewise, the Business Confidence Index – Nebraska (BCI-N) rose from 102.7 in October to 114.1 in November, which is also well above the neutral value of 100.0. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, customer demand was mentioned by 32 percent of respondents. Nearly as many businesses mentioned workforce issues. In particular, the availability and quality of labor was mentioned as …

Nebraska Business And Consumer Confidence Indexes: November 3, 2017, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Nebraska’s consumer confidence remained weak during October while business confidence remained strong. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) stood at 95.1 in October, below the neutral value of 100.0. By contrast, the Nebraska business confidence remained strong. The Business Confidence Index – Nebraska (BCI-N) stood at 102.7 in October, below the September level of 105.2 but above the neutral value of 100.0. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, customer demand was mentioned by 31 percent of business respondents. Businesses also faced growing competition in both the labor and product markets. The availability and quality of …

Nebraska Business And Consumer Confidence Indexes: October 6, 2017, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Nebraska’s consumer confidence tumbled during September while business confidence held steady. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) fell to 93.5 in September, well below the reading of 100.9 in August and the neutral value of 100.0. Consumer confidence is now weak in Nebraska. By contrast, the Nebraska business confidence remained strong. The Business Confidence Index – Nebraska (BCI-N) stood at 105.2 in September, slightly above the August value of 104.2, and well above the neutral value of 100.0. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, customer demand was mentioned by 37 percent of business respondents. Businesses …

What Lies At The Core Of Core Inflation? An Empirical Analysis To Identify The Determinants Of Core Inflation In Pakistan, Mehwish Ghulam Ali, Muhammad Ather Elahi, Qazi Masood Ahmed

Business Review

Core inflation leads to erosion of purchasing power and distorts income distribution in favor of the rich and the creditors. Further, it aggravates poverty due to its regressive effect. By targeting core inflation, the Central Bank attempts to reduce poverty and improve income distribution. The Central Bank does and should target core inflation for the aforementioned objectives, hence it becomes necessary to identify if factors apart from monetary policy affect core inflation. This paper aims to identify the determinants of core inflation in Pakistan. This study is motivated by the lack of work done in identifying the determinants of core …

A Study Of Regional Economies In The United States, Tanios Bou Onk

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

Using multiple time series based on data gathered from reliable government agencies I will compare the effects of national inflation, fluctuations in national GDP, and fluctuations in national employment on the personal income of multiple Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), with the effects that local (MSA) inflation, fluctuations in local GDP, and fluctuations in local employment in multiple MSAs have on real national GDP. This analysis will be limited to four metropolitan areas, San Antonio, Texas, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, San Diego, California, and Cincinnati-Hamilton, Ohio. These metropolitan areas are each in a different region located within the United States. This was done …

Regional Trade Agreements And The Pattern Of Trade: A Networks Approach, Rossitza Wooster, Javier A. Reyes, Stuart Shirell

Systems Science Friday Noon Seminar Series

This paper uses a complex network approach for the analysis of bilateral trade data between countries over the period 1970-2000. We compute the network community structure for every year between 1970 and 2000 and compare it to null community structures that emerge from various models based on regional and geographic classifications, the implementation of RTA's and/or on gravity models of trade. Our results show that RTA formation appears to have a cyclical pattern on the world trade network community structure. We document periods where bilateral trade flows and the structure of the world trade network are consistent with those predicted …

Portland State University's Impact On The Portland Smsa Economy, James G. Strathman

Center for Urban Studies Publications and Reports

Portland State University's contribution to the metropolitan Portland economy is both diverse and considerable. A 1982 study estimated that the expenditures made by the University, its faculty and staff, and its full-time students generated over $150 million in gross output in the region. Given the changes that have taken place over the past five years, a re-examination of the University's economic impacts is warranted. This report examines Portland State University's contribution to metropolitan economic activity based on data from the 1985-86 academic year.

The approach taken in this report differs in several respects from the 1982 study. In addition to …