(09-21-17)
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI)for the U.S. increased 0.4 percent in August to 128.8 (2010 = 100), following a 0.3 percent increase in July, and a 0.6 percent increase in June. “The August gain is consistent with continuing growth in the U.S. economy for the second half of the year, which may even see a moderate pick up,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, Director of Business Cycles and Growth Research at The Conference Board. “While the economic impact of recent hurricanes is not fully reflected in the leading indicators yet, the underlying trends suggest that the current solid pace of growth should continue in the near term.” The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index (CEI) for the U.S. was unchanged in August, remaining at 115.8 (2010 = 100), following a 0.3 percent increase in July, and a 0.1 percent increase in June. The Conference Board Lagging Economic Index (LAG) for the U.S. increased 0.3 percent in August to 125.2 (2010 = 100), following a 0.2 percent increase in July and a 0.2 percent increase in June.