Economic Outlook

Recent Survey Results

The Mid-America Business Conditions Index sank below growth neutral for the fourth time in past five months.
The regional manufacturing sector shed jobs for the 10th straight month.
The wholesale inflation gauge has moderated over the last several months.
Economic confidence climbed to its highest level in 12 months.
Approximately 31% of respondents indicated that tariffs had pushed their firm to change suppliers. As reported by one supply manager, “Tariffs have pushed me to buy more domestically.”
Both export and import readings slumped below growth neutral.
According to U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) data, regional manufacturing exports for the first 10 months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, fell by 5.2%.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data show that the nine-state region has lost more than 333,000 manufacturing jobs, or roughly 20% of its manufacturing employment base, over the past 25 years.