Indiana Business Research Center

09/01/2026

The Brave-Butters-Kelley Indexes (BBKI) has the coincident indicator at 0.1 for July, up from our estimate of -0.3 for June. However, the composition of the recent data leaves the path forward unusually open. https://www.ibrc.indiana.edu/bbki/index.html

The BBKI is a barometer of where the economy is and where it might be heading in the future.

08/05/2026

Have you ever wondered why slowing inflation doesn't lower the price of household goods? The newest issue of InContext dives into the relationship between prices and inflation.

Economists may celebrate slower inflation, but consumers are still paying much higher prices than before.

08/04/2026

The BBKI now places momentum below trend for a second straight month, with a cyclical component that is no longer merely flat. Learn more:

The BBKI is a barometer of where the economy is and where it might be heading in the future.

07/30/2026

Indiana's recent economic performance has been impressive, but how does the state translate that momentum into prosperity for individual Hoosiers? Read more in the newest issue of InContext.

Why have some Indiana labor markets generated faster growth in average hourly earnings than others? The answer provides important insight into how Indiana can accelerate prosperity across the state.

07/22/2026

Transportation and warehousing, professional services and educational services are expanding more rapidly in Northwest Indiana than the nation as a whole. Read more about the region's economic growth in this issue of the IBR.

Stefan Veljanovski analyzes Northwest Indiana's economic growth in recent years to determine which industry sectors are strengths for the region.

06/30/2026

The latest release of the Brave-Butters-Kelley Indexes (BBKI) has the coincident indicator at -0.2 for May, a modest downtick from our estimate of +0.1 for April: https://www.ibrc.indiana.edu/bbki/

This reading suggests that economic activity remains very close to trend, which our model estimates to be near 2.9%. The modest slowdown in May partly reflects a softening in consumer sentiment, housing starts, and growth in industrial production relative to April.

06/29/2026

Take a look at Indiana's substantial life sciences cluster through the lens of the state's READI regions in the new Summer IBR.

Indiana’s life sciences cluster is a substantial economic force, employing roughly 573K workers and generating approximately $81.9 billion in GDP statewide.

06/17/2026

Join the IBRC for three full days of coaching on how to elevate your enterprise.

Professor Phil Powell will lead a small cohort of business owners through the BOS-UP Builder Program.

Insights from 30 years in the Kelley School of Business classroom blend with wisdom from a proven coaching platform.

Gain the concepts, tools and disciplines to build, run and scale a great company.

In-person sessions are July 23, July 30 and August 6 at 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis.

Register for this inaugural cohort at the discounted price of $850.

Registration gets you two seats - one for another team member or fellow business owner.

Gain affordable one-on-one access to BOS-UP certified Kelley School faculty coaches after the program.

Click on the link below:

https://tinyurl.com/3ez575fw

06/02/2026

The latest release of the Brave-Butters-Kelley Indexes (BBKI) has the coincident indicator at 0.0 for April, a modest uptick from our March estimate. This suggests the economy has continued to progress near trend despite the elevated degree of uncertainty: https://www.ibrc.indiana.edu/bbki/

The BBKI is a barometer of where the economy is and where it might be heading in the future.

05/21/2026

For many Hoosiers, the housing market has become unaffordable and new construction isn't solving the problem. Read about the housing affordability issue and its causes in the latest IBR.

Based on the $310,000 price for existing homes, approximately 39% of households in the Indianapolis MSA cannot afford the median existing home price.