Iowa Business Council Survey Reflects Cautious Optimism

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The Q4 2025 Economic Outlook Survey from the Iowa Business Council (IBC) reflects an increased but still cautious level of optimism on the part of the state’s businesses. The quarterly survey is a measure of the six-month forward expectations of the members of the IBC, and its top line economic index increased to 63.16 in 4Q2025 from 60 in 3Q2025. The increase was principally driven by improved sales expectations, which increased 8.29 points to 65.79. The other two components of the index, capex and employment, were flat q/q. Finally, survey respondents cited an uncertain business climate, staff attrition and retention, and health care costs as the most significant challenges for their businesses going forward. 


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