by Michael Pakko | Dec 22, 2017
The latest information on Arkansas employment and unemployment was disappointing, with both the household and payroll reports showing weakness in November. The unemployment rate edged up by 0.1% to 3.7%, with a sharp decline in the number of employed (-6,784) and a...
by Michael Pakko | Dec 20, 2017
The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported this morning that personal income in Arkansas increased 0.5% in the third quarter of 2017, a bit below the national average of 0.7%. A drop in the volatile Farm Income component slowed growth both nationally and here in...
by Michael Pakko | Dec 13, 2017
Arkansas Taxable Sales (ATS) declined 2.1% in the third quarter following increases of 0.4% and 1.8% in the first two quarters of the year. Gasoline prices were up slightly in the third quarter, averaging $2.166 compared to $2.110 in the second quarter. As a result,...
by Michael Pakko | Dec 1, 2017
Thanks to all who attended this morning’s Little Rock Regional Economic Briefing, where I presented my forecast for the Arkansas economy. Special thanks to the Little Rock Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis for co-sponsoring and hosting the event,...
by Michael Pakko | Nov 21, 2017
Arkansas’ contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of 3.5% in the second quarter of 2017, outpacing the U.S. average of 2.8% and ranking as the 15th highest growth rate among the 50 states.* This morning’s...