Index predicts improvement in Iowa economy for 9th month

A modest improvement in economic indicators for June predicts that Iowa's economy will continue to grow.

The Iowa Leading Indicators Index rose for the ninth consecutive month by 0.7 percent, slightly improving on May's 0.6 percent increase.

Six of the eight leading indicators contributed positively, the new orders index unemployment insurance claims, average weekly manufacturing hours, Iowa stock market index, agricultural futures price index and diesel fuel consumption.

The two indicators that were negative in June were the national (interest rate) yield spread and new residential building permits.

The Iowa Department of Revenue released the index on Monday, August 2. The agency noted that that a key indicator of employment ended a streak of 19 consecutive monthly decreases. That index, the Iowa non-farm employment coincident index, was unchanged for the month.