Conference Board News Release (11/21/12)

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.2% in October to 96.0 (2004 = 100), following a 0.5% increase in September, and a 0.4% decline in August. The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.1% in October to 104.8 (2004 = 100), following a 0.2% increase in September, and a 0.4% decline in August.

“Based on current trends, the economy will continue to expand modestly through the early months of 2013,” says Ken Goldstein, economist at the Conference Board. “Hurricane Sandy, which is not yet fully reflected in the LEI, will likely adversely affect consumer spending and home building in the short-term, but it’s too soon to gauge the net impact. In addition, the outcome of the ‘fiscal cliff’ debates is another factor which could alter the outlook.”