Economic growth will improve at the end of 2017, according to the most recent leading economic indicator report from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The indicator, a composite of economic factors that predict economic growth six months into the future, rose by 2.75 percent in June.

“The strong increase in the leading indicator shows that economic growth will be robust in the state at the end of 2017,” said economist Eric Thompson, director of the Bureau of Business Research at Nebraska. “The June increase erased doubts about growth after the leading indicator declined during both April and May.”

All six components of the indicator rose during June. Business expectations were strong, with respondents to the Survey of Nebraska Businesses reporting plans to expand employment and sales over the next six months. Building permits for single-family homes also rose sharply, while airline passenger counts and manufacturing hours expanded. Initial claims for unemployment insurance fell, which is a sign of an improving labor market. The value of the U.S. dollar also fell, which is positive for Nebraska businesses that export.

“The broad-based growth in all six components of the leading indicator is a very positive sign for future economic growth,” Thompson said.

The leading economic indicator report is produced monthly by faculty and students in the Bureau of Business Research in the College of Business at Nebraska.

The full report and a technical report describing the indicators are available at the Bureau of Business Research website here.

[VIDEO]: Eric Thompson discusses the June leading economic indicator report