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Florida economy sees improvements in August
By Palm Beach Business.com
DELRAY BEACH — Comerica Bank's Florida Economic Activity Index rose 0.9 percentage points in August, to a level of 108.5. The August index reading is 28 points, or 35 percent, above its low of 80.6. Year-to-date the index has averaged 108, nine points above the average for all of 2011.
"Although our Index increased in August, it has essentially trended sideways for the last three months, moving within a narrow range," Comerica Chief Economist Robert Dye said.
"Following a flat July, the August index improved marginally, as most index components improved. However, job growth remains weak, and many of the state's real estate markets have exposure to the slumping European economy. These headwinds could hamper Florida's economic growth over the remainder of the year."
The Florida Economic Activity Index includes seven variables: nonfarm payrolls, exports, sales tax revenue, hotel occupancy rates, continuing claims for unemployment insurance, building permits, and airline passenger arrivals.
All data are seasonally adjusted, as necessary, and indexed to a base year of 2008. Nominal values have been converted to constant dollar values. Index levels are expressed in terms of three-month moving averages.
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