As the question of affordability looms over homebuyers’ heads, recent reports by economists generally agree that the housing market is weighed down by economic and global constraints—though a new report offers some near-term reasons for optimism. The latest monthly Leading Economic Index (LEI) by nonprofit The Conference Board highlighted slight growth in many forward-looking metrics,…
As 2026 moves forward amid rising inflation and a fairly soft labor market, are leading indicators pointing to a better near-term economy? The nonprofit research firm The Conference Board’s latest monthly Leading Economic Indicators report found a slight decline as the Board’s Leading Economic Index hit 99.1 in June, a 0.2% downturn compared to the…
Nonprofit research organization The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S.—which provides an early indication of significant turning points in the business cycle and where the economy is heading—increased slightly by 0.1% in May to 99.3, following a 0.2% increase in April, with plenty of uncertainty still around the future. After these two…
Nonprofit business research organization The Conference Board released its latest Leading Economic Index (LEI)—which provides an early indication of significant turning points in the business cycle and where the economy is heading—showing a decline of 0.6% in March 2026, more than reversing its 0.3% increase in February. Overall, the LEI fell by 1.0% over the…
At the end of 2025, the leading indicators of the economy suggested a slowing contraction, but enduring consumer cynicism. The latest Leading Economic Indicators (LEI) report from nonprofit business research organization The Conference Board found a 0.2% decline in December, compared to a 0.3% decline in November. The report’s baseline (measured against 2016, rated at…