The Conference Board Leading Economic Index(LEI)for theU.S. increased 0.3 percent in June to 115.3 (2004 = 100), following a 0.8 percent increase in May, and a 0.3 percent decline in April. The largest positive contributions came from money supply, the interest rate spread, and building permits.

Says Ataman Ozyildirim, economist at The Conference Board: "The U.S. LEI continued to increase in June, but the strengths among the leading indicators have been balanced with the weaknesses in recent months. The Coincident Economic Index, a monthly measure of current economic activity, continued to increase slowly. The leading indicators point to slowly expanding economic activity in the coming months."

SaysKen Goldstein, economist at The Conference Board: "The economy faced some recent unexpected headwinds, including a shortage of auto and electronic parts fromJapanafter the earthquake, and damaging tornado and flooding activity in the U.S. Another potential headwind is the debt ceiling issue, which could result in a financial crisis in the near term if not resolved. If these headwinds subside, the underlying trend of slow growth, as suggested by the LEI, should become more apparent over the next few months."

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index(CEI) for the U.S. increased 0.1 percent in June to 102.9 (2004 = 100), following a 0.1 percent increase in May, and a 0.1 percent decline in April. All of the four coincident indicators have advanced over the past six months.

The Conference Board Lagging Economic Index®(LAG) increased 0.3 percent in June to 109.5 (2004 = 100), following a 0.2 percent increase in May, and a 0.6 percent increase in April.