∙ U.S. Leading Incators…Leading Nowhere Right Now

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”The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. declined 0.1 percent in April to 95.5 (2004 = 100), following a 0.3 percent increase in March, and a 0.7 percent increase in February. ”Says Ataman Ozyildirim, economist at The Conference Board: ‘The LEI declined slightly in April. Falling housing permits, rising initial claims for unemployment insurance and subdued consumer expectations offset small gains in the remaining components. The LEI’s six-month growth rate fell slightly, but remains in expansionary territory and well above its growth at the end of 2011....’ ”Says Ken Goldstein, economist at The Conference Board: ‘The indicators reflect an economy that’s still struggling to gain momentum. Growth is slow, but choppy, and consumers, executives and investors are looking for more progress.’” Source: The Conference Board

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