The nonmetallic mineral products industry leading index increased to 251.5 in September from a revised 250.5 in August, its 6-month smoothed growth rate increased to 1.2% in September from a revised 0.7% in August.
After declining from November 2015 through March 2016, the leading index growth rate was above the growth rate threshold (+1.0%) that normally suggests an increase in industry activity for April and May, declined below the +1.0% threshold in June, then moved above in July, below again in August, and above again in September. In September, the largest positive contribution was new private housing units authorised by permits [0.5], and the largest negative contribution was S&P stock price index, building products companies [-0.5].
The nonmetallic mineral products industry coincident index, which measures current industry activity, increased to 142.7 in September from a revised 141.7 in August, its 6-month smoothed growth rate increased to -1.0% in September from a revised -2.1% in August. The coincident index growth rate had declined steadily February through August. September represents a pause in that trend. The industrial production index [0.4] and total employee hours [0.2] made the two largest positive contributions to the coincident index.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/02112016/usgs-gives-update-on-non-metallic-mineral-products-industry/