Economic Outlook Survey

Iowa's economy is at its strongest in 10 years according to the IBC's latest quarterly economic outlook survey. This quarter's index number for capital spending, 70, came in as the highest recorded number for this metric in the past ten years, while the overall index number from the second quarter of this year was the highest overall index number reported in ten years. 

Iowa Business Council members express continued economic optimism in the IBC’s quarterly economic outlook survey released today, with 90 percent of IBC members anticipating higher sales in the next six months. To support this projected sales growth, two thirds of IBC members expect to add to their workforce, and 60 percent project an increase in capital spending. 

Iowa's largest employers expect continued growth for the 2018 economy, with 80 percent of the Iowa Business Council members anticipating higher sales in the next six months. To support this projected growth, IBC members expect increases in both capital spending and employment. 

Our very own Executive Director, Georgia Van Gundy, was interviewed on WHO Radio's weekly show, Focus, regarding our latest Economic Outlook Survey. Check out what she had to say about the survey's results and the members' concerns regarding Iowa's workforce. (Interview starts at 12:35 in the recording).

Iowa's largest companies report a positive outlook for the 2018 economy.  According to the Economic Outlook Survey, a majority of the Iowa Business Council members anticipate an increase in sales, capital spending, and employment during the first half of 2018.