(Omaha) — Another leading indicator continues to show a Midwest manufacturing economy “moving sideways.”
Creighton University’s Mid-America Business Conditions Index jumped slightly above growth neutral from July’s 49.4 to 50.5 for August–with 50.0 representing growth neutral. The survey, which covers supply managers in a nine-state region including Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri, had steadily dropped to below growth neutral through 2025, before the jump back above 50.0 in August. Creighton University Economics Professor Dr. Ernie Goss says the survey for the past several months has pointed towards a sideways-moving economy.
“What you’re seeing is bouncing above and below, like a stone skimming across the water or the lake–it’s up and down, up and down, and below and above growth neutral,” said Goss. “So what we’re seeing is the economy is moving sideways–I would say a bit on the higher side of growth neutral. So we’re seeing some growth there, but not enough to send home about.”…