- For a third straight month the overall index remained above growth neutral.
- Farmland price growth and agriculture-equipment sales continue to decline.
- Trade concerns slam the business confidence index
- More than three-fourths of bank CEOs reported that export markets were very important to their local economy.
- Almost one-third of bankers support the abolition of NAFTA and undertaking a new agreement.
- More than one-fifth of bankers support the elimination of oil refinery waivers to RFS obligations.
OMAHA, Neb. (April 19, 2018) – The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index slipped in April, but remained above growth neutral for a third straight month, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy. This is the first time since the middle of 2015 that the survey has recorded three straight months of overall indices above growth neutral.
Overall: The overall index dipped slightly to 53.5 from 54.7 in March. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral.