The Conference Board

The Conference Board's Leading Economic Indicators Index rose 0.9% in October, outpacing increases in the previous two months and providing some grounds for hope of more robust economic growth to come.

The Conference Board's closely watched index unexpectedly surged 7.3 points to 60.3 in January -- rising to its highest level since May -- as Americans' started 2011 optimistic that the job market and U.S. economy would keep improving.

December%u2019s unexpected dip in consumer confidence shows both the impact of the deep 2007-2009 recession and the relationship of job creation to consumer attitudes.

Look for a "mild pickup" in the economy this spring, according to the Conference Board, whose index of leading economic indicators showed a 0.5% gain in September and October.

The latest Leading Economic Indicators reading and regional Philly Fed Index provide further evidence of weaker economic growth. And that complicates policymakers' efforts to lower the nation's high unemployment rate.

The downward slide in consumer confidence continued in July, falling to a five-month low and providing yet another sign that the U.S. economic recovery may have lost some of its momentum. The big concern for Americans? No, surprise, it's still jobs.

The Conference Board reports that every component of its consumer confidence index dropped in June, and one can clearly see what's weighing on the minds of consumers: America's woeful job market.

Salaried employees hoping their 2010 annual raise will provide some relief as they attempt to recover from the worst economic downturn in 80 years are likely to be disappointed: Raises for U.S. workers may barely keep pace with inflation this year.

Consumer confidence rose more than expected in January, but consumers remain concerned about the U.S. economy's lack of job growth.

The Conference Board's closely-watched index of leading economic indicators rose a better-than-expected 0.9 percent in November. The Federal Reserve's survey of manufacturing activity in the mid-Atlantic states also climbed.