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 April:
Arkansas: Arkansas’ overall index slipped to 49.5 from March’s 51.0. Components of the index were new orders at 50.7, production or sales at 50.1, delivery lead time at 52.4, inventories at 49.7 and employment at 44.9. “Weakness among the state’s durable-goods manufacturers more than offset slight gains for nondurable-goods producers for the month,” Goss said.
Iowa: The state’s overall index dropped to 50.1 in April, compared with 51.3 in March. Components of the index were new orders at 51.1, production or sales at 50.4, delivery lead time at 53.6, employment at 45.2 and inventories at 50.1. Weakness among the state’s durable-goods manufacturers more than offset slight gains for nondurable-goods producers in April, Goss said.
Kansas: The Kansas overall index dropped in April to 48.9 from 49.5 in March. Components of the index were new orders at 49.8, production or sales at 49.2, delivery lead time at 52.3, employment at 44.1 and inventories at 48.9. “Kansas manufacturers, both durable and nondurable, are experiencing weak business conditions,” Goss said.
Minnesota: The state’s overall index declined to 49.8 last month from 50.7 in March. Components of the index were new orders at 50.8, production or sales at 50.2, delivery lead time at 53.3, inventories at 49.8 and employment at 45.0. “Over the past 12 months, Minnesota durable-goods producers reduced employment by 1,100 while nondurable-goods manufacturers added 1,200.” Goss said.
Missouri: Missouri’s overall index inched up to 50.1 from 49.9 in March. Components of the index were new orders at 51.1, production or sales at 50.4, delivery lead time at 53.3, inventories at 50.0 and employment at 45.2. Missouri’s manufacturers have shed 2,300 of the sector’s jobs over the past 12 months, or about 0.9 percent, Goss said.
Nebraska: The April overall index for Nebraska slumped to 50.2 from March’s 53.3. Components of the index were new orders at 50.9, production or sales at 50.2, delivery lead time at 55.0, inventories at 49.9 and employment at 45.0. “Weakness among the state’s durable-goods manufacturers more than offset slight gains for nondurable-goods producers in the state over the past several months,” Goss said.
North Dakota: North Dakota’s overall index fell in April to 47.2, a regional low, from 47.8 in March, also a regional low. Components of the overall index were new orders at 48.1, production or sales at 47.5, delivery lead time at 50.5, employment at 42.6 and inventories at 47.2. North Dakota’s manufacturing sector has reduced employment by 1,200 jobs - about 4.7 percent - over the past 12 months, Goss said.
Oklahoma: The state’s overall index remained below growth neutral for a 12th straight month. It slipped in April to 49.4 from 49.7 in March. Components of the overall index were new orders at 50.4, production or sales at 49.8, delivery lead time at 52.9, inventories at 49.4 and employment at 44.6. Oklahoma’s manufacturing sector has reduced employment by 11,700 jobs, or about 8.4 percent, Goss said.
South Dakota: The overall index for South Dakota rose to a regional high of 51.6 in April from 51.1 in March. Components of the overall index were new orders at 51.3, production or sales at 50.1, delivery lead time at 53.8, inventories at 56.0 and employment at 46.5. Goss said that over the past 12 months, South Dakota manufacturers have shed about 3.5 percent of their positions, or about 1,500 jobs.
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