Conference Board News Release (02/20/14)

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.3% in January to 99.5, following no change in December and a 0.9% increase in November. Meanwhile, the Coincident Economic Index increased 0.1% in January to 108.1, following a 0.1% increase in December and a 0.4% increase in November. The Lagging Economic Index increased 0.3% in January to 121.6, following a 0.4% increase in December and no change in November.

“The increase in the Leading Economic Index reflects an economy that is expanding moderately, although the pace is somewhat held back by persistent and severe inclement weather in most parts of the country,” says economist Ken Goldstein. “If the economy is going to move on to a faster track in 2014 compared [with] last year, consumer demand and especially investment will need to pick up significantly from their current trends.”