ECONOMIC FORECAST AT A GLANCE

The Institute for Supply Management, formerly the Purchasing Management Association, began formally surveying its membership in 1931 to gauge business conditions.

The Creighton Economic Forecasting Group uses the same methodology as the national survey to consult supply managers and business leaders. Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss oversees the report.

The overall index ranges between 0 and 100. Growth neutral is 50, and a figure greater than 50 indicates an expanding economy over the next three to six months.

Arkansas: The overall index for Arkansas advanced to 65.9 in August from July’s 61.2. Components of the index were new orders at 61.3, production or sales at 70.1, delivery lead time at 65.6, inventories at 64.7 and employment at 68.0. “Arkansas is adding manufacturing jobs at an annual pace above 2.2 percent and nonmanufacturing at a rate exceeding 2.5 percent. Our surveys over the past several months indicate this positive trend will continue for the remainder of 2017,” Goss said.

Oklahoma: After falling below growth neutral for July, Oklahoma’s overall index climbed to 56.2 last month, compared with 49.4 in July. Components were new orders at 52.2, production or sales at 60.9, delivery lead time at 54.7, inventories at 55.1 and employment at 57.9. “The state is adding manufacturing jobs at an annual pace of almost 2 percent and growing nonmanufacturing employment at a rate slightly above 1 percent. Our surveys over the past several months indicate this positive trend will continue for the remainder of 2017,” Goss said.