The Leading Economic Index (LEI) decreased 6.7% in March, the largest monthly decline in the 60-year history of the index, according to the March 2020 Economic Outlook Update (EOU). Here are a few other highlights from the report:

• Retail sales fell 8.7% in March, the largest monthly decline since the beginning of the data series in 1992;
• The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $280,600 in March and is up 8.0% from a year ago;
• The Consumer Confidence Index fell sharply in March, by 12.6 points, to 120.0, as the economic impact of the coronavirus deteriorated the short-term outlook of the U.S. economy; and
• The Small Business Optimism Index decreased 8.1 points, to 96.4, in March, with the global spread of the coronavirus causing the largest monthly decline in the survey’s history. The survey noted that nine out of the 10 index components declined and that the economic disruptions are causing small-business owners to struggle to keep their businesses open.

The 42-page March 2020 EOU contains expansive research from leading authoritative resources, which you can use in your valuation reports as long as you give proper attribution. The EOU is published monthly and quarterly.