The Big Picture

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 8/9/2004

Leading indicators

The Conference Board announced that the U.S. leading index decreased 0.2 percent in June, the first decline since March 2003. Positive consumer expectations and stock prices were balanced by negative developments in building permits and manufacturing hours.

The index rose 0.3 percent in June, following a 0.6 percent increase in May. Energy costs, which advanced 4.6 percent in May, rose 2.6 percent in June, according to the Commerce Department.

Real average weekly earnings decreased by 0.8 percent from May to June, according to the Department of Labor. A 0.1-percent increase in average hourly earnings was offset by a 0.6-percent decline in average weekly hours.