Minnesota

Minnesota:  For a fifth straight month, Minnesota’s Business Conditions Index moved above growth neutral. The index from a monthly survey of supply managers in the state rose to 55.7 from 55.2 in March. Components of the index from the April survey were new orders at 57.6, production or sales at 57.4, delivery lead time at 55.7, inventories at 51.4, and employment at 56.5. “Compared to its pre-recession level, Minnesota has regained all jobs lost during the recession. Over the past several months, durable goods producers are reporting healthier growth in business activity than nondurable goods manufacturers.  Our surveys over the past several months point to an expanding state economy in the months ahead with solid improvements in business activity,” said Goss.