Midwest economic survey figures rise for 1st time in months

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – January results from a survey of supply managers in nine Midwest and Plains states suggest some improvement in the regional economy but not enough to generate optimism.

A report issued Monday says the Mid-American Business Conditions Index jumped to 48.3 in January from 39.5 in December – the first increase in six months.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says falling agriculture and energy commodity prices and global economic uncertainty continue "to restrain supply managers’ expectations of future economic conditions."

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth. A score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.