Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Business Council’s fourth-quarter Economic Outlook Survey shows some positive expectations for the next six months.
Executive director, Joe Murphy, says it’s a good way to start the new year.
The increase is not large, but Murphy says it’s important, because it marks the end of a three quarter decline in the overall level of optimism.
The IBC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose 20 members are the chief decision makers for major Iowa employers. Murphy says it appears the business leaders have seen the national and international trends and believe Iowa is in a better position.
Murphy says there are still challenges.
The Fed Reserve has upped interest rates to try and slow spending and bring down inflation. Murphy says sales expectations have actually increased among businesses compared to the third quarter.
Murphy says the increase in interest rates may eventually make companies rethink plans, but it hasn’t happened just yet.
