The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. increased
0.3 percent in January, following a 1.2 percent gain in December, and a 1.1 percent rise in November. Says Ataman Ozyildirim, Economist at The Conference Board: “The U.S. LEI has risen steadily for nearly a year, led by an improvement in financial markets and a manufacturing upturn. Consumer expectations and housing permits have also contributed to these gains over this period, but to a lesser extent – especially in recent months. Current economic conditions, as measured by The Conference Board Coincident Economic
Index® (CEI), have also improved modestly since July 2009, helped by strengthening industrial production, despite continued weakness in employment.”
Adds Ken Goldstein, Economist at The Conference Board: “The cumulative change in the U.S. LEI over the past six months has been a strong 9.8 percent, annualized. This signals continued economic recovery at least through the spring.”
The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for the U.S. rose 0.2 percent in January, following no change in December, and a 0.3 percent increase in November. The Conference Board Lagging Economic Index™ (LAG) declined 0.1 percent in January, following a 0.3 percent decline in December, and a 0.7 percent decline in November.