Leading Economic Indicators Rise in March

New York, NY, April 21, 2014 -- The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index increased 0.8% in March to 100.9 following a 0.5% increase in February.

“The LEI rose sharply again, the third consecutive monthly increase,” said 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. And, for the first time in many months, the consumer outlook is much less negative.”