The U.S. leading index, a key barometer of economic conditions, increased for the second straight month, rising 0.2 percent to 115.4 in December, The Conference Board recently reported. Four of the components that make up the index advanced in December, including the index of consumer expectations, stock prices, real money supply and average weekly initial claims for unemployment insurance. This is the second month the leading index advanced, following five consecutive declines. In a written release, The Conference Board stated, "It is now more likely that the five-month decline in the leading index was only a pause in the rising trend that has been underway since March 2003."
The coincident index, an index of current economic activity, also grew in December, increasing 0.3 percent to 118.6. All four components of the coincident index advanced. The lagging index remained unchanged in December, remaining at 98.9
Posted by gandlwoods at January 28, 2005 08:41 AM