Reports expected to show an improving economy - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Reports expected to be released later Thursday morning indicate an improving economy.

However, local experts caution it's not all good news.

Housing starts, jobless claims, and mortgage rate reports will be released by separate entities. All are indicators of where the economy is, and where it's headed.

Thursday morning's report is expected to show an increase in housing starts, but one local economist says it's not anywhere near pre-recession levels.

Matt Will, with the University of Indianapolis, says when it comes to real improvements, "...we've got a long way to go."

The Labor Department reports jobless claims are down slightly, another indicator of the economy.

But Will cautions, "All the reports have not recovered since pre-recession levels, so while mathematically we're not in a recession, all the other indicators say we haven't gone back to 2007 levels yet."

Where does Indiana fare? According to Will, "Indiana is better off than the rest of the country. We've been through tough times with the state budget, county budgets, tax cuts and tax caps. While it's been tough, it's put us in a good economic condition."

Eyewitness News will share the reports when they are released