The Conference Board (04/21/2014)

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.8% in March to 100.9, following a 0.5% increase in February and a 0.2% increase in January. “The LEI rose sharply again, the third consecutive monthly increase,” says Ataman Ozyildirim, economist at the Conference Board. “After a winter pause, the leading indicators are gaining momentum and economic growth is gaining traction. While the improvements were broad-based, labor market indicators and the interest rate spread largely drove the March increase, offsetting the negative contribution from building permits.”

“The March increase in the LEI suggests accelerated growth for the remainder of the spring and the summer,” says Ken Goldstein, economist at the Conference Board. “The economy is rebounding from widespread inclement weather and the strengthening in the labor market is beginning to have a positive impact on growth.”