Conference Board News Release (01/23/15)

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.5% in December to 121.1, following a 0.4% increase in November.

“December’s gain in the LEI was driven by a majority of its components, suggesting the short-term outlook is getting brighter and the economy continues to build momentum,” says Ataman Ozyildirim, economist at the Conference Board. “Still, a lack of growth in residential construction and average weekly hours in manufacturing remains a concern. Current economic conditions measured by the coincident indicators show employment and income gains are helping to keep the U.S. economy on a solid expansionary path despite some weakness in industrial production.”

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.2% in December to 111.4, following a 0.5% increase in November. The Lagging Economic Index increased 0.3% in December to 115.0, following a 0.3% increase in November.