Boom Doom Economy: USA Weekly Leading Index Drops to 48-Week Low (Charts) *Annualized growth rate at 50-week low*

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ECRI Economic Weekly Leading Index and Annualized Growth Rate

* Updated September 23, 2011 for the week ended September 16, 2011 *

USA Weekly Leading Index

Overview The USA Economic Weekly Leading Index (WLI) decreased -0.6 to 122.2 (preliminary) for the week ended September 16, 2011. This was the 6th decrease in the past 7 weeks. The current Weekly Leading Index was affected by the stabilization in the equity markets during that week and has a positive correlation with same.

Trend The short-term trend and the intermediate-term trend continue downwards. The long-term trend continues level.

Cycle History The recent short-term low is the current 122.2 (preliminary) for the week ended September 16, 2011, which is a 48-week low. The recent short-term peak was 131.9 for the week ended April 15, 2011. The Weekly Leading Index reached a Post-Great Recession peak of 134.9 for the week ended April 30, 2010. A Great Recession low of 105.4 was set for the week ended March 6, 2009.

Weekly Leading Index (Chart) Below is a chart of the ECRI Weekly Leading Index, including the intermediate-term low of 120.3 for the week ended July 9, 2010, through the latest week reported.

USA Annualized Growth Rate

Overview The WLI Annualized Growth Rate (AGR) dropped -0.6% to a 50-week low of -6.7% (preliminary) for the week ended September 16, 2011. This is the lowest reading since the AGR was -6.7% for the week ended October 8, 2010. The AGR has had 7 consecutive, significant weekly drops. The Annualized Growth Rate had been positive for 35 consecutive weeks before turning negative the past 7 weeks. The AGR has decreased or been flat 18 of the past 22 weeks, including decreasing 11 consecutive weeks from April 22 through July 1.

Trend The short-term trend and the intermediate-term trend continue downwards. The long-term trend continues level.

Cycle History The recent short-term peak was +8.1% for the weeks ended April 15 and 22, 2011. The recent short-term low is now the current -6.7% (preliminary) the week ended September 16, 2011. The Annualized Growth Rate reached a Post-Great Recession peak of +27.8% for the week ended October 9, 2009. A Great Recession low of -29.8% was set for the week ended December 5, 2008.

Annualized Growth Rate (Chart) Below is a chart of ECRI WLI Annualized Growth Rate, including the intermediate-term low of -10.9% for the week ended July 23, 2010, through the latest week reported. The AGR became negative in early June 2010 and remained negative for 28 consecutive weeks. The AGR was then positive for 35 weeks (from the week ended December 17, 2010 through the week ended August 12, 2011). The AGR reversed to negative beginning the week ended August 19, 2011.

Commentary Overall, the both the Weekly Leading Index and the Annualized Growth Rate continue decreasing and are near 1-year lows. Gains previously attained have eroded. The WLI has been below the now distant benchmark 130.00 level for 19 consecutive weeks and the AGR has been below the 0.00% benchmark for 5 consecutive weeks. The Weekly Leading Index and Annualized Growth Rate overall continue at levels that indicate any future economic growth is becoming difficult, if not questionable. Both the levels and trend are worrisome. Per the ECRI, the Weekly Leading Index projects forward approximately 6 months and the Annualized Growth Rate is relative to the WLI and a 4-week moving average.

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