(08-22-19)
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.5 percent in July to 112.2 (2016 = 100), following a 0.1 percent decline in June, and a 0.1 percent decline in May. “The US LEI increased in July, following back-to-back modest declines. Housing permits, unemployment insurance claims, stock prices and the Leading Credit Index were the major drivers of the improvement,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, Senior Director of Economic Research at The Conference Board. “However, the manufacturing sector continues exhibiting signs of weakness and the yield spread was negative for a second consecutive month. While the LEI suggests the US economy will continue to expand in the second half of 2019, it is likely to do so at a moderate pace.” The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for the U.S. increased 0.2 percent in July to 106.2 (2016 = 100), following a 0.2 percent increase in June, and a 0.1 percent increase in May. The Conference Board Lagging Economic Index® (LAG) for the U.S. increased 0.6 percent in July to 108.5 (2016 = 100), following a 0.5 percent increase in June, and a 0.1 percent decline in May.
