Business leaders more optimistic about state economy, but less so than this time last year
BUSINESS RECORD STAFF Dec 1, 2015 | 9:25 pm
1 min read time
294 wordsAll Latest News, Economic Development, Retail and BusinessThe level of optimism among state business leaders is edging up but still lags the enthusiasm they expressed last year.
The Iowa Business Council said today that its index of business leaders’ sentiments for the six-month prospects for the state economy rose to 60 in the fourth quarter from 59 in the third quarter. This time last year, the index registered 65.
“Business activity for the start of 2016 looks promising in regards to sales, which is typically a leading indicator for this survey,” Mike Wells, president and CEO of Wells Enterprises Inc. in Le Mars and 2015 chair of the Iowa Business Council, said in a release. “The focus will be on broadening that momentum to capital spending and employment as the year progresses.”
Here are the results of the survey, which was conducted the last two weeks of November:
The sales index is 62, five points higher than last quarter but seven points behind a year ago (69). Ninety percent of the CEOs anticipated steady or increased sales over the next six months.
The capital spending index is 59, which is the same as last quarter but six points below the the year-ago survey. Ninety percent of corporate members said they expect steady or increased capital spending levels through May 2016.
The employment index is 58, three points lower than last quarter and also three points behind the same time last year. Eighty percent of respondents expected hiring levels for the next six months to remain steady or show some growth.
Members of the Iowa Business Council are the top executives of the largest businesses in the state, the presidents of Iowa’s three public universities and the CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association.
Trending News
