Leading Economic Indicators Flat in June

The composite index of Leading Economic Indicators was unchanged in June following a revised 0.2% increase in May, first reported as a 0.1% gain, the Conference Board reported Thursday.

The coincident index gained 0.2% in June after an unrevised 0.2% rise in May, while the lagging index rose 0.3% after a revised 0.4% gain in May, first reported as a 0.3% increase.

The LEI stands at 95.3, the coincident index is at 105.9 and the lagging index is at 119.0 The LEI has a baseline of 100, which reflects the level in 2004.

Economists polled by Thomson Reuters predicted LEI would be up 0.3% in the month.

"Some segments of the economy are turning around faster than others, resulting in positive but moderate growth," said the Conference Board economist Ken Goldstein. "The biggest uncertainties remain the pace of business spending, the improvements in consumer spending power and the impact of slower global growth on U.S. exports."

"The U.S. LEI was flat in June. Declines in building permits, new orders and stock prices were offset by gains in consumer expectations, initial claims for unemployment insurance, and other financial indicators," said the Conference Board Economist Ataman Ozyildirim. "However, the LEI's six-month growth rate remains positive, suggesting the economy will continue expanding through the end of the year."

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