Leading Economic Indicators Fall In December, Point To Moderate Growth

The index of leading economic indicators fell 0.2 percent in December following an upward revised 0.5 percent gain in November. A drop in housing permits and weakness in manufacturing orders weighed on December though trends in the index, boosted in large part by favorable interest rates, are still pointing to moderate growth ahead. Other readings include a modest 0.1 percent gain for the coincident index and a modest 0.2 percent gain for the lagging index.

Recent History Of This Indicator:
Losses in the stock market and a rise in jobless claims will likely depress the index of leading indicators which is expected to decline 0.1 percent in December. This index had been flat through most of the second half before showing life in both October and November.