Leading Economic Indicators Rises As Expected

September was a respectable month for the economy based on the index of leading economic indicators which rose an as-expected 0.2 percent. Building permits, which include a surge in single-family homes and a giant surge in multi-family units, lead September's components which also include strength tied to the month's dip in unemployment claims. A decline in the factory workweek along with a decline in the stock market pulled September's results lower. But September's gain aside, this report has been up and down all year pointing on net to slow growth for the economy.

Recent History Of This Indicator:
The index of leading indicators is expected to reverse August's 0.2 percent dip with a 0.2 percent gain in September. Positives are expected to include September's decline in jobless claims and strength in the ISM new orders index, with negatives likely to be the factory workweek and softness in the stock market.