Business conditions improve in Iowa, Midwest

The monthly Business Conditions Index compiled by Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss showed an increase for the nine-state Mid-America region in February. The index, which ranges from 0 to 100, climbed to 58.4 in February from 55.9 the previous month. The index is a mathematical average of indexes measuring new orders, production or sales, employment, inventories and delivery read time. Iowa’s reading was 66.5, up from 66 in January, the highest in the region and the 26th straight month the state has been above the growth-neutral level of 50.

The monthly Business Conditions Index compiled by Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss showed an increase for the nine-state Mid-America region in February.

The index, which ranges from 0 to 100, climbed to 58.4 in February from 55.9 the previous month. The index is a mathematical average of indexes measuring new orders, production or sales, employment, inventories and delivery read time.

Iowa’s reading was 66.5, up from 66 in January, the highest in the region and the 26th straight month the state has been above the growth-neutral level of 50.