June 2026: 1.52% (A+ grade)

Mississippi inventionINDEX June 2026: 1.52% (A+ grade)

The inventionINDEX measures innovation output by comparing GDP growth with patent production growth.

Anything over C grade is positive sentiment; anything under C is negative outlook/sentiment. Using that sentiment, it is possible to observe trends over time, and also compare states/countries. In doing so, we can predict which states have the best chance to recover economically from the pandemic (or any other economic incident that may occur).

Historical Mississippi inventionINDEX Scores

The Mississippi inventionINDEX score for the past 12 months is shown in the table below.

The Mississippi inventionINDEX score for June 2026 reached a remarkable 1.52 percent, earning a top-tier A+ rating and representing a substantial leap forward compared to previous historical metrics. Throughout the first five months of 2026, the index experienced a prolonged period of stagnation, with scores languishing between 0.77 percent and 0.93 percent, resulting in consecutive ratings in the D range. Looking further back across the provided dataset, which tracks performance over a multi-year timeline, the historical average sits at approximately 0.99 percent. The June 2026 score not only comfortably surpasses this historical benchmark but also approaches the absolute peak of 1.60 percent recorded in May 2022 and October 2023, signaling a potent resurgence in the state’s innovation metrics after several quarters of underperformance.

Achieving a higher grade, such as the A+ rating observed in the most recent month, brings numerous positive outcomes for the regional economy and its entrepreneurial ecosystem. An elevated inventionINDEX score indicates a robust expansion in research and development activities, increased patent filings, and a higher rate of commercialized technologies. This upward momentum serves as a powerful signal to venture capitalists and corporate stakeholders, fostering enhanced investor confidence and attracting vital capital to the state. Furthermore, a thriving innovation index often correlates with the creation of high-paying jobs, an influx of specialized talent, and long-term economic resilience that elevates Mississippi’s competitive standing on a national scale.

Conversely, the negative implications of a lower score and a depressed grade can be severely detrimental to the economic landscape. Periods of decline, such as the historical lows of 0.52 percent and corresponding F ratings in October 2021 and June 2025, reflect critical systemic challenges. A low index score typically implies a contraction in innovative output, reduced funding for academic and private research, and a general stagnation in market competitiveness. If sustained, these low scores risk inducing a talent drain, where top-tier researchers and entrepreneurs migrate to more supportive environments, ultimately leaving the state vulnerable to economic inertia and diminished industrial modernization.

Analyzing the broader historical trajectory reveals a highly cyclical pattern where periods of lower performance often serve as a catalyst for strategic intervention and subsequent growth. The dramatic transition from a D+ rating in May 2026 to an A+ rating in June 2026 underscores how rapidly economic indicators can shift when long-term investments or structural adjustments begin to yield fruit. To maintain this newfound momentum, stakeholders must continuously capitalize on high-scoring intervals while actively fortifying the innovation infrastructure during leaner months. Ensuring a stable baseline of support for regional creators will mitigate the severity of future downturns and sustain the positive trajectory established by the latest index results.

Discussion:

In June, the Mississippi inventionINDEX scored a positive sentiment which was higher than the previous year’s average and outperformed the upward trend for the year. This is in contrast to the prior 12 months, which experienced a downward trend.

As the economy continues to stabilize in the post-pandemic era, it remains uncertain whether any backlog of applications still exists or if the department has returned to normal processing timelines. The inventionINDEX could also be affected by lingering consequences from the pandemic, such as company closures, reduced workforces, and limited R&D capabilities, which may still be impacting current operations.

Learn More:
Are you thinking of patenting any of your bright ideas? Did you know your research work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please check out our free online eligibility test.

Swanson Reed’s Mississippi office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Jackson, Gulfport, Southaven, Hattiesburg, Biloxi, Meridian, Tupelo, Greenville, Olive Branch and Horn Lake

Feel free to book a quick teleconference with one of R&D tax specialists if you would like to learn more about R&D tax credit opportunities.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is the largest Specialist R&D tax credit advisory firm in the United States. With offices nationwide, we are one of the only firms globally to exclusively provide R&D tax credit consulting services to our clients. We have been exclusively providing R&D tax credit claim preparation and audit compliance solutions for over 30 years.

Swanson Reed hosts daily free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/free-webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.