The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index rose 0.2% in July to 99.5, recording its fourth monthly gain in six months. The six-month annualized growth rate turned positive for the first time in over four years, reaching +0.2% from January to July. This performance was driven primarily by lower jobless claims and rising building permits, which offset persistently weak consumer expectations. The Conference Board maintained modest growth forecasts, projecting 1.9% real GDP growth for both 2026 and 2027, as elevated living costs continue to strain households.
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