Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: February 17, 2017

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) 1 rose by 1.97% during January of 2017. The rapid increase in the LEI-N, which predicts economic activity six months in the future, reversed a drop in the indicator during November and December of 2016. The increase during January suggests that growth will improve in Nebraska in the second half of 2017. Business expectations, building permits and manufacturing hours all improved during January. There also an a decline in initial claims for unemployment insurance in January following a sharp increase during December. The value of the U.S. dollar was steady during January, a positive sign for Nebraska’s export-oriented economy