Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: August 15, 2014

Summary: The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) fell by .75% during July 2014. The decline in the LEI-N, which predicts economic growth in the state six months in the future, is the first in six months. The decline suggests that economic growth may slow in Nebraska in early 2015 after strong growth in the second half of 2014. Three components contributed to the decline in the leading economic indicator in July. There was a decline in manufacturing hours and in single-family building permits during the month. There also was an increase in initial claims for unemployment insurance during July. Among positive components, business expectations remained positive in Nebraska for the sixth consecutive month. In particular, July respondents to the Survey of Nebraska Business predicted an increase in both sales and employment at their business over the next six month. There also was a modest decline in the value of the U.S. dollar during July, which is a positive for Nebraska exporters