Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: March 21, 2014

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 at their business over the next six month. Among declining components, there was a slight drop in single-family home building permits in February and a modest increase in the value of the dollar, which is a negative for exports