Measure of economy’s future health was flat in June, suggesting modest growth in coming months
Posted Jul 18, 2013 10:17 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WASHINGTON – A gauge of the economy’s future health was unchanged in June, pointing to modest growth in the coming months.
The Conference Board, a business research group, says its index of leading indicators remained at 95.3 in June. The flat reading followed increases of 0.2 per cent in May and 0.8 per cent in April.
The longer-term trend has been positive. The index increased 1.7 per cent in the first six months of this year. That’s better than the 1.1 per cent rise in the previous six months.
The index consists of previously released data and is intended to signal economic conditions three to six months out.
Positive trends, such as higher consumer confidence and fewer applications for unemployment benefits, were offset by last month’s decline in stock prices and a drop in building permits.
