Economic gauge for state rises in January
BY LAURIE WINSLOW World Staff Writer
Friday, February 01, 2013
A leading economic indicator for the state reversed direction and rose in January, continuing to signal growth in the coming months, according to a report released Friday by Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.
Oklahoma’s Business Conditions Index climbed to 53.8 in January from 52.1 in December. The gauge, taken from a survey of businesses, is derived from new orders, production or sales, employment, inventories and delivery lead time.
A number greater than 50 points to expansion in the next three to six months, and a number less than 50 signals economic contraction.
The monthly Mid-America Business Conditions Index for the nine-state region points to slow growth for the region in the next three to six months, but still no recession, according to the report.
The overall index for the Mid-America region increased to 53.2 for January, up from 49.5 in December and 48.0 in November.
