The Economic Outlook Survey measures member expectations for sales, capital spending and employment for the upcoming six months. Index measures above 50 are positive. The fourth-quarter survey’s overall economic outlook index is 59.26, up 0.51 index points from the third quarter.
“The survey results, essentially flat compared to the third-quarter, indicate Iowa’s continued resiliency as world markets and other indices project future economic strife,” the report said. Nearly all of IBC executives said it is somewhat to very difficult to hire employees. They report more than 7,600 positions are currently available or open in Iowa.