For a second straight month the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index fell, but remained above growth neutral for the month. The index is a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas.
In April of last year, COVID-19 pushed the overall index to its lowest level in 11 years. Since April, the overall index has climbed above growth neutral 50.0 for seven of the past eight months. The Business Conditions Index, which ranges between 0 and 100, dropped to 64.1 in December, from November’s 69.0. The Kansas Business Conditions Index for December decreased to 55.3 from 60.1 in November. Top performing industry in Kansas for 2020: Construction. The monthly index is based on surveys of supply managers.