LINCOLN- Following a steep and, for some, concerning decline in March, Nebraska's Leading Economic Indicator, which is operated by economists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and designed to predict economic activity six months in advance, rose 0.42% in April. The indicator had previously declined by 1.31% in March after a record increase in February.

"The monthly report suggests the Nebraska economy will grow during the fourth quarter of 2024," said Eric Thompson, director of the Bureau of Business Research, "Overall, while the Nebraska economy struggled in the first quarter of 2924, growth is expected to accelerate mid-year."

Thompson also pointed out that business expectations were positive in April, with respondents reporting plans to increase sales and employment over the next six months. The six components considered by the Economic Indicator include business expectations, building permits for single-family homes, airline passenger counts, initial claims for unemployment insurance, the value of the dollar, and manufacturing hours worked.

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