The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. declined 0.1 percent in April to 95.5 (2004 = 100), following a 0.3 percent increase in March, and a 0.7 percent increase in February.

Says Ataman Ozyildirim, economist at The Conference Board: "The LEI declined slightly in April. Falling housing permits, rising initial claims for unemployment insurance and subdued consumer expectations offset small gains in the remaining components. The LEI's six-month growth rate fell slightly, but remains in expansionary territory and well above its growth at the end of 2011. The CEI, a measure of current economic conditions, has also increased for five consecutive months."

Says Ken Goldstein, economist at The Conference Board: "The indicators reflect an economy that's still struggling to gain momentum. Growth is slow, but choppy, and consumers, executives and investors are looking for more progress."

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index (CEI) for the U.S. increased 0.2 percent in April to 104.3 (2004 = 100), following a 0.2 percent increase in March, and a 0.1 percent increase in February.   

The Conference Board Lagging Economic Index (LAG) increased 0.5 percent in April to 114.9 (2004 = 100), following a 0.3 percent increase in March, and a 0.2 percent increase in February.