The composite index of leading economic indicators rose 0.1% in April, the Conference Board reported yesterday.
LEI increased an unrevised 0.1% in March.
The coincident index was unchanged after a revised unchanged reading in March, originally reported as up 0.1%, while the lagging index was up 0.1% after a revised 0.4% gain in March, originally reported as a 0.3% increase.
The LEI stands at 102.0, the coincident index is 106.9, and the lagging index is at 112.2.
Economists polled by IFR Markets predicted LEI would be off 0.1% in the month.
“The leading index edged up by 0.1% in April, the same increase as in March, after declining for five straight months,” according to Conference Board labor economist Ken Goldstein. “These data certainly reflect a weak economy but not one in recession. Moreover, the small increases in the leading index in both March and again in April could be a signal that the economy may not weaken further.”
