Going Down?

Unexpectedly:

The Conference Board’s leading economic index declined 0.1% in March to 94.7, following a 0.5% increase in February, and a 0.5% increase in January.

“The leading indicator still points to a continuing but slow growth environment,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, economist at the Conference Board. “Weakness in consumer expectations and housing permits was offset by the positive interest rate spread and other financial components.”

The coincident economic index, a measure of current conditions, is down since December due to a large decline in personal income, he said.

White House economic advisor Rosy Scenario could not be reached for comment.