Utah business index slips

While the U.S. manufacturing sector again reported faster-than-expected growth in July, Utah's businesses appeared to lag behind.

But a report released Monday said better times are ahead for the Beehive State.

The Mountain States Business Conditions Index, a monthly survey of supply managers and business leaders in the Western states of Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, found Utah's reading again slightly lower, at 56.8, compared to June's 57 and May's 59.1.

The index ranges from zero to 100, with a figure greater than 50 indicating a growing economy over the next three to six months.

Ernie Goss, an economics professor at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., and director of the Creighton Economic Forecasting Group, said in a prepared statement that while Utah's July survey results were down, they again "remained in a range pointing to healthy economic growth in the months ahead.

"Utah high-tech firms, including computer and electronic component manufacturers, reported solid economic advances over June activity," Goss wrote. "Utah has added just over 25,000 jobs thus far for 2005. Based on our survey, I expect the state to gain another 22,000 for the rest of 2005, pushing overall job growth for 2005 to 4 percent. This will be the best showing for the Utah labor market since 1996."

Utah's index for new orders measured 72.0, with production at 42.9, delivery-speed at 50.1, inventories at 50.6, and employment at 59.3

Colorado's business conditions continued to climb, reaching 72.9 in July, up from June's 72.4 and May's 68.8. Wyoming rebounded from a slight decline in June, posting a chart-topping 84.4 in July, up significantly from June's 77.6.

"Despite high oil prices and rising interest rates, the regional (business) confidence index rose in July to 78.3 from June's 75.0," Goss wrote. "Opening the Canadian border to the importation of live cattle had a positive impact on the confidence of beef processors in the region."

The July employment index for the region rose sharply to 71.7 from June's already brisk 65.0 and May's 64.3.

"Surveys over the past several months and government data indicate that the region is growing jobs at a pace not experienced since before the 2001 recession," Goss said.