Conference Board News Release (06/21/12)

In May, the Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. edged up 0.3% to 95.8, compared with a 0.1% decrease in April, with economist Ataman Ozyildirim noting that the gain was modest due to weakness in the average work week in manufacturing, stock prices, and consumer expectations. Meanwhile, the Conference Board Coincident Economic Index for the U.S. rose 0.2% to 104.3, following a similar gain in April, and the Conference Board Lagging Economic Index for the U.S. climbed 0.3%, versus a 0.6% decline the month prior. “Economic data in general reflect a U.S. economy that is growing modestly, neither losing nor gaining momentum,” says Ken Goldstein, economist at the Conference Board. “The result is more of a muddle through.”