In March, the Augusta Leading Economic Index (LEI) increased 0.4% from February. The index has increased 2.4% from March 2013. Encouragingly, four components of the index increased in March: housing permits, initial claims for unemployment insurance, job openings, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The only negative aspect was an increase in the price level.  

This good news follows two months when the LEI decreased and this month total employment declined. Some industries, however, are doing better than this time last year. These industries include manufacturing, transportation and utilities, information, financial services, and leisure and hospitality.