Ernie Goss
Ernie Goss
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.
began below pace somewhat strong utah
Utah began 2006 on a strong note, but on a pace somewhat below that of 2005.
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.
higher interest quarter rates second stronger
It's going to be stronger in the first quarter and in the end of the second quarter. It's going to weaken as higher interest rates set in.
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.
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.
conditions continue detailed durable economic expect goods growing growth improving pace producers reported slower strong
After growing at a very strong pace in 2005, we are now detecting a slowdown in the pace of growth. Just as nondurable goods manufacturers reported improving economic conditions, durable goods producers detailed a pullback in economic conditions for the month. I expect this slower pace of growth to continue into 2006.
bullish convert definitely durable economic employment goods growth improving january job missouri months orders past picture producers several strong terms
Job growth in Missouri has definitely slowed over the past several months. In terms of hiring, Missouri experienced January job losses. However, strong new orders should convert to an improving employment picture in the months ahead. Durable goods producers were much more bullish in their economic assessments for January than non-durable goods manufacturers.
beginning both durable economic ended industry leisure sector strong
Iowa's leisure and hospitality industry and manufacturing, both durable and nondurable, ended 2005 on a very strong economic note. On the other hand, Iowa's transportation sector and construction industry are beginning 2006 on a lackluster path.
affecting asian beef borders both factor growth half higher industries industry interest kansas open partners pushed rates sector slow state strong trading
The construction industry and transportation sector in Kansas have pushed 2005 growth into the very strong range. However, higher interest rates will slow growth for both industries in the first half of 2006. The rate at which our Asian trading partners open their borders to U.S. beef will be an important factor affecting growth for the state in 2006.
began conditions durable economy goods growth january job kansas note producers reported rest softer solid somewhat stronger year
The Kansas economy began the year on a somewhat softer note than the rest of the region. However, firms reported solid job growth for January with durable goods producers detailing much stronger conditions than non-durable goods firms in the state.
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.
certainly clear february january played record region role supporting warm weather
It is certainly clear that record warm weather for much of the region for January and February played an important role in supporting the economy.
arkansas asian beef drive economic fourth growth half higher hunt japanese job losses opening overall pushed quarter second
Manufacturing job losses in the second half of 2005 pushed Arkansas' overall job growth for the fourth quarter to zero. However, Arkansas firms ... benefiting from the opening of the Japanese and other Asian beef markets, and J.B. Hunt Transport, profiting from the U.S. economic expansion, will drive Arkansas job growth higher in the first half of 2006.