​The spread between ten- and two-year treasuries flattened to its narrowest margin in more than a decade last week, falling as low as 0.19. The yield curve is a major market-driven economic leading indicator. The NY Fed’s reduction in their GDP estimate on Friday may have contributed to the decline. In other news, jobless claims fell slightly, once again showing continued strength of the labor market, and Creighton University released their monthly Mid-America Economic Index for the month of July and their Rural Mainstreet Index for the month of August. Both Creighton indices showed general economic strength but pointed to some concerns, including effects from trade wars. 

​The Commerce Department reported a strong GDP reading of 4.1% in the second quarter of 2018. Contrarily, Great Plains farmers are seeing tougher access to credit as farm incomes continue to slump.