The Big Picture
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 10/11/2004
The index of leading indicators fell by 0.3 percent in August for the third straight month. Three of the index's 10 indicators improved, including manufacturers' new orders for consumer goods, real money supply and new jobless claims.
CEO confidenceThe TEC Intl. Confidence Index fell slightly in the third quarter to 110.4, down from 111.9 in the prior quarter. Expectations on revenue, profitability, hiring and investment plans were unchanged. Some 54 percent of CEOs felt the economy would be better a year from now.
Real earningsReal average weekly earnings increased by 0.3 percent from July to August, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
