Regional business index rises during February

Business conditions in the Beehive State are improving, according to a report released Tuesday. The state's Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator, climbed above the 50.0 growth neutral threshold. Based on the monthly survey of the membership of National Association of Purchasing Managers — Utah, the overall index climbed to a "very healthy" 59.8 from 55.9 in January.

Components of the index for February were new orders at 63.7, production or sales at 64.9, delivery lead time at 59.9, inventories at 58.8, and employment at 51.7. Deseret News