News Summary: Economic index declines in June

Published July 19, 2012 5:12pm ET



LEADING DOWN: The Conference Board’s index of leading economic indicators fell 0.3 percent in June, its second decline in three months. The index rose 0.4 percent in May but fell 0.1 percent in April.

SIX DRAGS: Among the index’s ten components, six weakened: new orders as reported by purchasing managers, consumer expectations, building permits, stock prices, a measure of business investment and new claims for unemployment benefits.

FOUR LIFTS: The four stronger components were interest rates, average hours worked by factory workers, a separate index of credit produced by the Conference Board and new orders to factories for consumer goods and materials.