In his monthly Mid-America Business Conditions Index Survey of supply managers, Creighton University Economics Professor Ernie Goss, Phd, says in terms of hiring, the index was well below growth neutral. The region lost about 800 manufacturing jobs over the last 12 months. Meanwhile, the U. S. only added 12,000 manufacturing, which equated to a small gain of one-tenth of 1%.
Inflation remains high and still slightly above the Federal Reserve’s target. Goss does not anticipate any rate hikes this year, but he does expect a rate cut in March.
