Economic trends.

Many people are paying more attention to economic trends than they did before the credit meltdown. Government Finance Review presents a bimonthly summary of relevant statistics to help GFOA members keep track of the overall economic picture.

Inflation Indicator Result Source Trend/ Significance Consumer Price Down 0.3 Bureau of Labor Over the last Index percent in May, Statistics 12 months, seasonally index increased adjusted 1.7 percent before seasonal adjustment Confidence Indicator Result Source Trend/ Significance Consumer At 62.0 in June Conference A reading above Confidence (1985= 100), Board 90 would signal down from 64.4 a stabilized in May consumer Conference Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Board Conference Board, said: "Consumer confidence Commentary declined in June, the fourth consecutive moderate decline. Consumers were somewhat more positive about current conditions, but slightly more pessimistic about the short-term outlook. Income expectations, which had improved last month, declined in June. If this trend continues, spending may be restrained in the short term. The improvement in the Present Situation Index, coupled with a moderate softening in consumer expectations, suggests there will be little change in the pace of economic activity in the near term." Economic Growth Indicator Result Source Trend/ Significance ISM Down to 53.5 in Institute for Below 50 is Manufacturing May from 54.8 Supply contraction Index in April Management ISM...