Economic trends.

• Position: News & Numbers

Many people are paying more attention to economic trends than they did before the credit meltdown. The GFOA's Long-Term Financial Planning blog provides frequent updates on important issues and topics of interest, including a monthly summary of relevant statistics. Government Finance Review is reprinting an excerpt of those statistics to help GFOA members keep track of the overall economic picture. To access the Long-Term Financial Planning blog, go to ltfp.gfoa.org.

Inflation Indictor Result Source Consumer Price Index Up 0.5 percent in Bureau of March. Follows 0.5 Labor Statistics percent and 0.4 percent gains in February and January ISM Manufacturing Up 0.7 percent n March Bureau of Index Labor Statistics Confidence Indictor Result Source Consumer Confidence Down to 63.4 in March Conference Board from 72 in February Conference Board Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Commentary Consumer Research Center, said: "The sharp decline in confidence was prompted by a sharp decline in expectations. Consumers' inflation expectations rose significantly in March and their income expectations soured, a combination that will likely impact spending decisions. On the other hand, consumers' assessment of current conditions improved, indicating that while the short-term future may be uncertain, the economy continues to expand." Economic Growth Indictor Result Source GDP Up at an annual rate of Commerce Department 3.1 percent in Q4 2010 from Q3 (3rd revision) ISM Manufacturing Down to 61.2 in March Institute for Supply Index from 61.4 in February, Management up from 60.8 in January ISM Service Index Down to 57.3 in March Institute for Supply from 59.7 in February, Management up from 59.48 in January Housing & Real Estate Indictor Result Source Case-Shiller "Keeping with the trends set in late 2010, Commentary January brings us weakening home prices with no real hope in sight for the near future," said David M. Blitzer, chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poors. "With this month's data, we find the same 11 MSAs posting new recent index lows. The 10-City and 20-City Composites continue to decline month-over-month and have posted monthly declines for six consecutive months now. These data confirm what we have seen with recent housing starts and sales reports. The housing market...