Economic Indicators Rise in February, Manufacturing Unchanged in Philadelphia Region
The Conference Board’s index of leading economic indicators, a measure of the outlook for the next three to six months, rose 0.2% in February for a second month, the New York-based group said March 19.
The median forecast of 49 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News called for a 0.2% advance. Estimates ranged from no change to a 0.5% gain.
LEI is closely watched by trucking companies because it forecasts business activity.
In a separate report, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said manufacturing activity in that region was virtually unchanged in March.
The regional Fed’s index dipped to a 5.0 reading from 5.2 in February. Readings above zero show expansion.
The Philadelphia Fed surveys about 100 manufacturers for the index in eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey.
