(12-18-20)
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.6 percent in November to 109.1 (2016 = 100), following a 0.8 percent increase in October and a 0.7 percent increase in September. “The US LEI continued rising in November, but its pace of improvement has been decelerating in recent months, suggesting a significant moderation in growth as the US economy heads into 2021,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, Senior Director of Economic Research at The Conference Board. “Initial claims for unemployment insurance, new orders for manufacturing, residential construction permits, and stock prices made the largest positive contributions to the LEI. However, falling average working hours in manufacturing and consumers’ worsening outlook underscore the downside risks to growth from a second wave of COVID-19 and high unemployment.” The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index (CEI) for the U.S. increased 0.2 percent in November to 103.2 (2016 = 100), following a 0.6 percent increase in October and a 0.5 percent increase in September. The Conference Board Lagging Economic Index (LAG) for the U.S. decreased 0.4 percent in November to 106.9 (2016 = 100), following a 0.3 percent increase in October and a 0.4 percent decrease in September.
