Updates Of Economic Indicators May 2022

The following is an update of various indicators that are supposed to predict and/or depict economic activity. These indicators have been discussed in previous blog posts:

The May 2022 Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) updated as of May 23, 2022:

The CFNAI, with a current reading of .47:

CFNAI .47

source:  Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Chicago Fed National Activity Index [CFNAI], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed May 23, 2022: 
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CFNAI

The CFNAI-MA3, with a current reading of .48:

CFNAIMA3 .48

source:  Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Chicago Fed National Activity Index: Three Month Moving Average [CFNAIMA3], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed May 23, 2022: 
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CFNAIMA3

The Aruoba-Diebold-Scotti Business Conditions (ADS) Index

The ADS Index as of May 19, 2022, reflecting data from March 1, 1960 through May 14, 2022, with last value .501108:

ADS Index .501108

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI), Coincident Economic Index (CEI), and Lagging Economic Index (LAG):

As per the May 19, 2022 Conference Board press release, titled “The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. Fell in April” the LEI was 119.2 in April, the CEI was 108.8 in April, and the LAG was 111.6 in April.

An excerpt from the release:

“The US LEI declined in April largely due to weak consumer expectations and a drop in residential building permits,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, Senior Director of Economic Research at The Conference Board. “Overall, the US LEI was essentially flat in recent months which is in line with a moderate growth outlook in the near-term. A range of downside risks—including inflation, rising interest rates, supply chain disruptions, and pandemic-related shutdowns, particularly in China—continue to weigh on the outlook. Nevertheless, we project the US economy should resume expanding in Q2 following Q1’s contraction in real GDP. Despite downgrades to previous forecasts, The Conference Board still projects 2.3 percent year-over-year US GDP growth in 2022.”

Here is a chart of the LEI from the Advisor Perspectives’ Conference Board Leading Economic Index update of May 19, 2022:

Conference Board LEI 119.2

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I post various indicators and indices because I believe they should be carefully monitored.  However, as those familiar with this site are aware, I do not necessarily agree with what they depict or imply.

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The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation

SPX at 3969.57 as this post is written