Thursday, March 21, 2002

Leading indicators remained flat in February March 21, 2002 11:05 a.m. EST "After four straight months of gains, a key gauge of U.S. economic activity remained flat in February, suggesting a rocky economic recovery in the months ahead . . . The New York-based Conference Board reported its Index of Leading Economic Indicators remained steady at 112.4 last month following a revised 0.8 percent increase in January. Analysts had forecast a 0.1 percent gain. 'The U.S. economy has quickly turned from recession and is now firmly in recovery . . . But the road ahead is far from smooth, with sluggish profits and weak export demand restraining growth.'" ... [more] 9:10:14 AM  Google It!  comment  []

More Sunshine For Economy "Higher prices for clothing, medical care and airline fares contributed to a mild 0.2 percent rise in consumer inflation in February. Another report showed new claims for unemployment insurance fell by a seasonally adjusted 12,000 last week to 371,000, the lowest level in a month. That provides further evidence layoffs are abating as the economy stages a comeback." "With the economy bouncing back nicely from a recession that began last March and interest rates at their lowest level in four decades, a few economists worry that inflation could worsen" ... [more] 9:01:41 AM  Google It!  comment  []

Housing Starts Rise to Three- Year High, Bolstering Economy "Housing starts rose in February to the highest level in more than three years . . . suggesting that the construction of new homes will underpin a rebounding economy. At an annual pace, builders began work on 1.769 million homes last month, up 2.8 percent from a 1.721 million rate in January . . . That is the most homes started since December 1998 and reflects the fastest pace of single-family housing construction in more than 23 years."  ... [more] 8:54:45 AM  Google It!  comment  []