Area Development
The Conference Board says economic indicators "point to recovery" in its Leading Economic Index (LEI) report released today. The LEI for the U.S. increased by 1.4 percent in March. In February it gained 0.4 percent, and in January it rose by 0.6 percent. The LEI is currently at its highest level.

"The indicators point to a slow recovery that should continue over the next few months," said Ken Goldstein, Conference Board economist. "The leading, coincident, and lagging series are rising. Strength of demand remains the big question going forward. Improvement in employment and income will be the key factors in whether consumers push the recovery on a stronger path."

The Board's Coincident Economic Index for the U.S. rose 0.1 percent in March, after a 0.1 percent gain in February and no change in January. The Lagging Economic Index increased 0.2 percent in March after a 0.1 percent growth in February and a 0.3 percent drop in January.