US economic expansion pay may be uneven: The Conference Board

US' Leading Economic Index (LEI) increased (20-Jan-2011) 1.0% in Dec-2010 to 112.4 (2004=100), following a 1.1% increase in Nov-2010 and a 0.4% increase in Oct-2010, according to The Conference Board. The Coincident Economic Index (CEI) increased 0.2% in Dec-2010 to 101.9 (2004=100), following a 0.1% increase in Nov-2010 and a 0.2% increase in Oct-2010. The Lagging Economic Index (LAG) increased 0.% in the month to 108.4 (2004=100), following a 0.1% decline in Nov-2010 and no change in Oct-2010. [more]

The Conference Board: "While the LEI points to an economic expansion that is gaining further traction, its components still suggest the expansion path may be uneven. December's gain was led by housing permits, the interest rate spread, initial claims for unemployment insurance and consumer expectations. The large increases in December and November show that, after a brief pause in the second quarter of 2010, the LEI is resuming the upward trend that began in March 2009," Ataman Ozyildirim, economist. Source: Company Statement, 20-Jan-2011.

The Conference Board: "The four-month rise suggests the economy now has some wind in its sails; however, it still faces some strong headwinds in the medium-term. Overall economic activity is likely to continue to gain momentum in 2011," Ken Goldstein, economist. Source: Company Statement, 20-Jan-2011.