Economic trends.

• Position: News & Numbers - Statistical table

Economic Trends Government Finance Review presents a bimonthly summary of relevant statistics to help GFOA members keep track of the overall economic picture. Inflation Trend/ Indicator Result Source Significance Consumer Price Decrease 0.3 Bureau of Over the last Index percent in Labor Statistics 12 months, November index increased 1.8 percent, before seasonal adjustment Confidence Trend/ Indicator Result Source Significance Consumer At 65.1 in Conference Board A reading above Confidence December (1985= 90 would signal 100), down from a stabilized 71.5 in consumer November Conference Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Board Conference Board, said: "Consumers' expectations Commentary retreated sharply in December, resulting in a decline in the overall index. The sudden turnaround in expectations was most likely caused by uncertainty surrounding the oncoming fiscal cliff. A similar decline in expectations was experienced in August of 2011 during the debt ceiling discussions. While consumers are quite negative about the short-term outlook, they are more upbeat than last month about current business and labor market conditions." Housing and Real Estate Trend/ Indicator Result Source Significance Housing Starts Down 3 percent US Census Bureau Up 21.6 percent from October over November 2011 New Residential Up 4.4 percent US Census Bureau...