Ernie Goss
Ernie Goss
among business growth offset reports services somewhat strong transport truck weaker
Strong growth among firms in business and professional services and truck transport offset somewhat weaker reports from manufacturers for March.
businesses completing dakota month ordinarily played projects pushing reported role south until weather
As in much of the region, weather played an important role in pushing the state's index higher. Businesses in South Dakota reported undertaking and completing construction projects for the month that would ordinarily have been sidelined until spring.
announced businesses close closure confidence despite energy ethanol fortunes high industry regional renewable rising stood ties tyson
Despite the announced closure of the two Tyson plants, Nebraska's confidence index stood at a regional high of 70.2. Certainly, the rising fortunes of the state's ethanol and renewable energy industry have buoyed businesses in this industry or firms with close ties to this industry.
areas arkansas businesses conditions economic expect growth job northwest parts portion quarter reasonably report second solid stronger
Businesses located in the Northwest portion of Arkansas tended to report stronger economic conditions than businesses in other parts of the state. However, I do expect reasonably solid job growth for most areas through the second quarter of this year.
according businesses comments dakota definitely difficult economic growth impacts month months north points separate solid survey warmer weather
Businesses in North Dakota definitely benefited from much warmer weather for the month according to comments from businesses in our survey. It is difficult to separate out the impacts of weather from more fundamental economic factors, but even so, our survey still points to solid growth in the months ahead.
business city closing continuing due economic economy fairly gm improving likely negative oklahoma operations positive produce reported sector service year
Transportation firms reported continuing economic weakness. While 2006 is likely to be a positive year for the Oklahoma economy due to an improving telecommunications sector and expansions in business service firms, the closing of GM operations in Oklahoma City will produce some fairly negative economic consequences.
among business confidence energy expected fed higher hikes impacts managers negative rate regional supply warmer winter
The 15 Fed rate hikes and higher energy prices, even with the warmer than expected winter weather, are having negative impacts on confidence among regional supply managers and business leaders.
growth increases months past point quarter second solid
Increases over the past two months point to solid growth into the second quarter of this year.
again basis federal hike increase january less likelihood meets percent placed quarter rate reserve
In January I placed the likelihood of a Federal Reserve Rate hike in May at less than 10 percent. I now set the probability of at least a 25 basis point, or quarter percent, increase at 90 percent when the Fed meets again on May 10.
across bankers board economic february hiring home readings reported retail survey weakness
The bankers in our survey reported economic weakness across the board for February with readings of 28.8 for retail sales, 44.0 for new hiring and 38.5 for home sales.
conditions detailed durable economic food goods producers reported softer
Non-durable goods manufacturers, especially food processors, reported much softer economic conditions for the month. On the other hand, durable goods producers detailed solid, but not spectacular conditions for February.
clear earlier economy energy expected gas growth natural overall pointing prices slower solid stronger
It's clear the overall economy is solid and pointing to growth in the upcoming months, much stronger than anticipated earlier because of energy prices and natural gas prices. We would have expected much slower growth.
america began costs economy elevated energy forced higher interest rates regional year
The Mid-America regional economy began 2005 like a lion, but higher interest rates and elevated energy costs forced the region's economy to end the year like a lamb.
companies economic ethanol fairly february following future growing growth hurricane impacts industry last managers negative october optimistic positive reported reports shipping since solid strong supply survey ties trend year
The trend in economic reports from supply managers in our survey has been fairly positive since October of last year following some of the negative shipping impacts from Hurricane Katrina. Companies with strong ties to the state's growing ethanol industry reported solid growth for February but were very optimistic about future economic growth for this sector.