Real Gross Domestic Product News

Oil-patch industries, shipbuilding and, to a lesser extent, business services, hotels and gaming will lead Louisiana's employment growth in 2002-2003, according to a report by Louisiana State University (LSU) economists and sponsored by Hibernia National Bank (NYSE:HIB). The researchers released their findings today at the fifth annual Hibernia Economic Outlook Conference at the Hibernia Tower. However, the researchers caution that it is difficult to determine the impact of the Sept. 11 tragedy on consumers and businesses. "It's still much too early to get an accurate reading of the impact on the national and local economies due to these events," said Loren C. Scott, one of the LSU economists who compiled the report.