Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: July 18, 2014

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 initial unemployment claims and an improvement in building permits during June. Along with these improving components, there also was a modest decline in three LEI-N components. In particular, there was modest decline in airline passenger counts and manufacturing hours during June. Further, for the first time in several months, there was an increase in the value of the U.S. Dollar, which is negative for Nebraska exporters