U.S. Leading Economic Index Slumps Much More Than Expected In October

RTTNews | 913 days ago
U.S. Leading Economic Index Slumps Much More Than Expected In October

(RTTNews) - A report released by the Conference Board on Friday showed a much bigger than expected decrease by its reading on leading U.S. economic indicators in the month of October.

The Conference Board said its leading economic index slumped by 0.8 percent in October after falling by a revised 0.5 percent in September. Economists had expected the index to decrease by 0.4 percent, matching the drop originally reported for the previous month.

Noting the index fell for the eight straight month, Ataman Ozyildirim, Senior Director, Economics, at The Conference Board, said the data suggests the economy is "possibly in a recession."

"The downturn in the LEI reflects consumers' worsening outlook amid high inflation and rising interest rates, as well as declining prospects for housing construction and manufacturing," Ozyildirim said.

He added, "The Conference Board forecasts real GDP growth will be 1.8 percent year-over-year in 2022, and a recession is likely to start around yearend and last through mid-2023."

Meanwhile, the report showed the coincident economic index edged up by 0.2 percent in October following a 0.1 percent uptick in September.

The lagging economic index also crept up by 0.1 percent in October following a 0.8 percent increase in the previous month.

read more
U.S. Consumer Sentiment Unexpectedly Continues To Deteriorate In May

U.S. Consumer Sentiment Unexpectedly Continues To Deteriorate In May

Consumer sentiment in the U.S. has unexpectedly continued to deteriorate in the month of May, according to preliminary data released by the University of Michigan on Friday. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index dipped to 50.8 in May after slumping to 52.2 in April. Economists had expected the index to inch up to 53.4.
RTTNews | 2 days ago
U.S. Import, Export Prices Unexpectedly Inch Higher In April

U.S. Import, Export Prices Unexpectedly Inch Higher In April

The Labor Department released a report on Friday unexpectedly showing modest increases by both U.S. import and export prices in the month of April. The report said import prices crept up by 0.1 percent in April after falling by a downwardly revised 0.4 percent in March.
RTTNews | 2 days ago
U.S. Business Inventories Inch Up Slightly Less Than Expected In March

U.S. Business Inventories Inch Up Slightly Less Than Expected In March

The Commerce Department released a report on Thursday showing a slight increase by U.S. business inventories in the month of March. The report said business inventories crept up by 0.1 percent in March after rising by 0.2 percent in February. Economists had expected business inventories to rise by another 0.2 percent.
RTTNews | 3 days ago
U.S. Homebuilder Confidence Unexpectedly Slumps In May

U.S. Homebuilder Confidence Unexpectedly Slumps In May

Reflecting growing uncertainties stemming from elevated interest rates, tariff concerns, building material cost uncertainty and the cloudy economic outlook, the National Association of Home Builders released a report on Thursday showing an unexpected slump by U.S. homebuilder confidence in the month of May.
RTTNews | 3 days ago
U.S. Industrial Production Unexpectedly Flat In April

U.S. Industrial Production Unexpectedly Flat In April

With a rebound by utilities output offset by decreases by manufacturing and mining output, the Federal Reserve released a report on Thursday showing industrial production in the U.S. came in unchanged in the month of April. The Fed said industrial production was unchanged in April after falling by 0.3 percent in March. Economists had expected industrial production to rise by 0.2 percent.
RTTNews | 3 days ago