OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - 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 growth in that factor over the next three to six months.
Here are the state-by-state results for April:
Arkansas: The state’s overall index dropped to 57.7 from March’s 61.6. Index components were new orders at 64.5, production or sales at 61.1, delivery lead time at 55.4, inventories at 55.5 and employment at 51.9. The Arkansas economy has added jobs at a 2.5 annual pace over the past 12 months, while durable-and nondurable-goods manufacturers added jobs at rates of 4.6% and 2.2%, respectively, Goss said.
Iowa: Iowa’s overall index plunged below growth neutral, hitting 48.9 last month, compared with March’s 57.8. Index components were new orders at 56.4, production or sales at 51.1, delivery lead time at 46.3, employment at 44.4 and inventories at 46.5. Over the past 12 months, the Iowa overall economy has added jobs at a 0.7% annual pace, while durable- and nondurable-goods manufacturers have added jobs at rates of 0.4% and 2.1%, respectively, he said.
Kansas: The state’s overall index sank to 48.3 in April, compared with 55.2 in March. Index components were new orders at 55.8, production or sales at 50.5, delivery lead time at 45.7, employment at 43.9 and inventories at 45.8. Goss said the Arkansas economy has added jobs at a 0.9 percent pace over the past 12 months, while durable- and nondurable-goods manufacturers have added jobs at annual rates of 4.3% and 0.4%, respectively.
Minnesota: Minnesota’s overall index inched up to 54.5 last month from 53.0 in March. Index components were new orders at 60.9, production or sales at 56.7, delivery lead time at 51.3, inventories at 51.5 and employment at 52.3. Over the past 12 months, the Minnesota economy has lost jobs at a 1.7% annual rate, Goss said. Durable- and nondurable-goods manufacturers have shed jobs at annual rates of 0.4% and 1.2%, respectively.
Missouri: The state’s overall index rose to 57.6 in April from 57.3 in March. Index components were new orders at 60.9, production or sales at 56.7, delivery lead time at 59.2, inventories at 56.7 and employment at 54.3. The Missouri economy has added jobs at an annual pace of 0.5% over the past 12 months, while durable- and nondurable-goods manufacturers have added jobs at annual rates of 2% and 1.6%, respectively, he said.
Nebraska: Nebraska’s overall index fell in April to 53.8 from March’s 57.1. Index components were new orders at 60.5, production or sales at 56.7, delivery lead time at 53.8, inventories at 51.5 and employment at 48.6. The Nebraska economy has added jobs at a 0.3% annual rate over the past 12 months, Goss said, while durable- and nondurable-goods manufacturers have lost jobs at rates of 4.6% and 0.9%, respectively.
North Dakota: The April overall index for North Dakota plunged to 50.6 last month from 55.0 in March. Index components were new orders at 57.9, production or sales at 53.0, delivery lead time at 48.0, employment at 45.8 and inventories at 48.1. Over the past 12 months, the North Dakota economy has added jobs at an annual pace of 2%, Goss said. Durable- and nondurable-goods manufacturers have added jobs at annual rates of 4.2% and 4.9%, respectively.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma’s overall index in April dropped below growth neutral for the first time in 21 months. It fell to 48.6 from 53.9 in March. Index components were new orders at 56.1, production or sales at 50.4, delivery lead time at 46.0, inventories at 46.1 and employment at 44.1. The Oklahoma economy has added jobs at an annual pace of 1.1% over the past 12 months, he said, while durable- and nondurable-goods manufacturers have added jobs at annual rates of 5.5% and 4.4%, respectively.
South Dakota: The state’s overall index remained at a regional high last month despite dropping to 62.2 from 70.8 in March. Index components were new orders at 68.7, production or sales at 66.2, delivery lead time at 60.0, inventories at 60.2 and employment at 55.8. The South Dakota economy has added jobs at an annual rate of 1.7% over the past 12 months, Goss said, while durable- and nondurable-goods manufacturers added jobs at annual rates of 1.8% and 1.1%, respectively.
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