May 11, 2012
Missouri Manufacturing Index Continues to Rise
Missouri's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) increased in April to 60.2, according to the monthly Mid-American Business Conditions Survey, conducted by Creighton University, Omaha, Neb. Economists consider the index, which measures such factors as new orders, production, supplier delivery times, backlogs, inventories, prices, employment, import orders and exports, a key economic indicator. Typically, a score greater than 50 indicates an expansionary economy, while a score below 50 forecasts a sluggish economy for the next three to six months.Census Bureau Releases New Demographic Data
The U.S. Census Bureau has released newly compiled demographic data. This information includes national, state and county level data covering demographic, economic and governmental statistics from the Census Bureau and other federal agencies. Topics include agriculture, crime, education, health, retail trade and vital statistics. Additional statistics from the 2005-2009 American Community Survey for economic and housing characteristics and 2010 federal spending are included in this update.
