Tulsa World: Economic indicator low for Oklahoma in October

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Economic indicator low for Oklahoma in October

By LAURIE WINSLOW World Staff Writer
Published: 11/2/2009 11:32 AM
Last Modified: 11/2/2009 11:38 AM

An economic gauge for the state did a turnabout in October.

After pointing to signs of growth in September, Oklahoma’s Business Conditions Index reversed course and fell below growth neutral to 46.9 last month, down from 52.9 in September.

A number greater than 50 indicates that the economy should expand over the next three to six months, while a number below 50 points to contraction.

“If you look at the numbers in Oklahoma, they are getting weak. Oklahoma came to this downturn much later than the nation, and it’s now showing up in our survey,” said Ernie Goss, an economics professor at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., in a phone interview “Even though the number is below growth neutral, I think it will be somewhat short-lived.”

The index for the nine-state Mid-America region slumped to 51.8 last month, down from September's 56.2.

In addition to Oklahoma, the region includes Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. By LAURIE WINSLOW World Staff Writer

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Reader comments for this story have been moved to the most updated version of the story, now under the headline "Economic gauge turns south," which was published on 11/3/2009. So far, 2 comments have been made.