9 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · Apr 30
The Conference Board said the LEI dropped to 97.3, reversing February's 0.3% rise to 97.9 after delayed releases caused by the US federal government shutdown.
The decline reflected weaker building permits, consumer expectations and stock prices, pointing to slower growth ahead as higher oil prices and supply-chain tensions risk adding to inflation.
Over the six months to March 2026, the LEI fell 1%, less than the previous six-month 2.1% contraction; the April report is due on May 22.
With inflation rising and growth slowing, can the Federal Reserve prevent a deeper economic crisis?
Is the US economy's fate now tied more to the conflict in Iran than its own domestic policies?