Southern California economy improving

Regional index shows a slight upward trend
By Dean Calbreath
Originally published November 30, 2010 at 9:12 a.m., updated November 30, 2010 at 11:44 a.m.

For the fourth consecutive quarter, Southern California's leading economic indicators moved up during between July and September, pointing to an increase in economic activity within the next three to six months, according to an index of leading economic indicators released this morning by California State University in Fullerton.

But the change in the index was minimal - rising only 0.19 percent - indicating that any improvement in the economy in the near-term will be slight.

The most positive indicators were an inflation-adjusted rise in the money supply, a slight decrease in the regional jobless rate and improvement in the interest rate spread.

On the other hand, declining stock prices and continuing weakness in regional consumer confidence, building permits and employment prospects continued to indicate that growth will remain sluggish.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010 ... improving/