Input Stories

Leading U.S. economic indicators declined by more than anticipated in September (RTTNews).

What’s going on: The Conference Board’s “leading economic index slid by 0.5 percent in September after falling by a revised 0.3 percent in August.” Economists had forecast a 0.3% dip.

• The gauge—which measures the strength of 10 economic components, including average weekly hours worked in manufacturing and industrial production—has declined nearly every month for the past two years.
• In September, five indicators were positive, four declined and one was unchanged from the previous reading (MarketWatch).

Why it happened: “Weakness in factory new orders continued to be a major drag on the U.S. LEI in September as the global manufacturing slump persists,” Conference Board Senior Manager of Business Cycle Indicators Justyna Zabinska-La Monica said.

• “Additionally, the yield curve remained inverted, building permits declined and consumers’ outlook for future business conditions was tepid.”