Creighton University economist professor Ernie Goss is out with his monthly survey of business leaders suggesting improvements are still underway in the economy in Oklahoma and eight other Midwest and Plains states.
His Mid-America Business conditions Index rose to 58.2 in September from 57.5 in August and 56.1 in July. The overall index for Oklahoma rose to 62.7 in September from 56.2 in August.
The survey showed new orders were at 67.8, production or sales at 71.9, delivery lead time at 61.5, inventories at 56.6 and employment at 55.4.
“Over the past 12 months, Oklahoma increased manufacturing employment by 2.8 percent, or approximately 3,600 manufacturing jobs,” said Goss. “Contrary to the other eight states, Oklahoma’s gains were driven by the state’s durable-goods manufacturers.”
Professor Goss says international sales, strong profit growth and low interest rates helped the economic outlook among supply managers in the region. His survey covers Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Under his survey, results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor and a score less than 50 suggests decline.
View Professor Goss’s monthly video interview.
