The Institute for Supply Management, formerly the Purchasing Management Association, began formally surveying its membership in 1931 to gauge business conditions.
The Creighton Economic Forecasting Group uses the same methodology as the national survey to consult supply managers and business leaders. Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss oversees the report.
The overall index ranges between 0 and 100. Growth neutral is 50, and a figure greater than 50 indicates an expanding economy over the next three to six months.
Here are the state-by-state results for October:
Arkansas: Arkansas’ overall index sank to 41.5 from 45.7 in September. Components of the index were new orders at 35.0, production or sales at 37.8, delivery lead time at 56.7, inventories at 35.0 and employment at 42.9. “Gains for nondurable-goods manufacturers in the state were more than offset by losses for the larger durable-goods sector,” Goss said.
Iowa: The overall Iowa index rose to 48.9 from September’s 48.0. Components of the overall index were new orders at 39.4, production or sales at 47.8, delivery lead time at 55.8, employment at 51.2, and inventories at 50.2. “Metal producers and machinery manufacturers experienced downturns in economic activity. Additionally, food processors recorded cutbacks in business activity,” he said.
Kansas: The Kansas overall index slipped to 43.7 from 43.9 in September. Components of the index were new orders at 47.8, production or sales at 37.9, delivery lead time at 36.5, employment at 48.9 and inventories at 47.3. “Durable-goods producers, including machinery manufacturers, experienced downturns in economic activity,” Goss said. “This more than offset slight gains for nondurable-goods producers, such as food processors.”
Minnesota: The October index for Minnesota inched up to 48.7 from September’s 48.4. Components of the overall index were new orders at 40.4, production or sales at 38.1, delivery lead time at 62.3, inventories at 44.8 and employment at 57.8. “Durable-goods manufacturers in the state, such as metal producers and machinery manufacturers, recorded losses for the month. This activity more than offset gains for nondurable-goods producers such as food processors,” Goss said.
Missouri: The state’s overall index plummeted to 41.6 last month from 47.3 in September. Components of the overall index were new orders at 40.1, production or sales at 40.1, delivery lead time at 51.7, inventories at 35.2 and employment at 43.0. “Fabricated metal producers and machinery manufacturers in the state continue to experience pullbacks in economic activity, especially for those firms linked to international markets and agriculture,” he said.
Nebraska: The overall index fell to 43.3 in October from 44.6 in September. Components of Nebraska’s overall index were new orders at 40.5, production or sales at 38.2, delivery lead time at 54.7, inventories at 39.0 and employment at 44.3. “Manufacturers with ties to agriculture and energy continue to experience downturns in economic activities,” Goss said. But food processors reported improving economic conditions.
North Dakota: The overall North Dakota index plunged to 40.5 in October from 48.2 in September. Components of the overall index were new orders at 37.2, production or sales at 47.8, delivery lead time at 51.1, employment at 37.7 and inventories at 28.7. “Both durable- and nondurable-goods firms in the state, especially those linked to farming and energy, experienced pullbacks in economic activity for the month,” he said.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma’s October index sank to a regional low of 38.8 from 40.3 in September, also a regional low. Components of the overall index were new orders at 47.7, production or sales at 35.2, delivery lead time at 57.8, inventories at 19.2 and employment at 33.9. “Both durable-goods producers and nondurable-goods manufacturers linked to energy continue to lose jobs,” Goss said.
South Dakota: The South Dakota overall index fell to 46.8 last month from September’s regional high of 51.1. Components of the overall index were new orders at 47.8, production or sales at 37.5, delivery lead time at 57.8, inventories at 45.6 and employment at 42.1. South Dakota manufacturers linked to agriculture, energy and international markets reported downturns in economic activity, he said.
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