The Iowa Leading Indicators Index in April remained unchanged from March at 108.5, following the first two consecutive negative signals since July 2016. However, with four of the eight components contributing positively, up from three in March, the monthly diffusion index increased to 56.3 in April from 31.3. The annualized six-month change decreased sharply to 0.5 percent in April from a revised 1.4 percent in March, reflecting weakness this spring compared with gains seen last fall. The six-month diffusion index decreased to 50 in April from 68.8 in March. The four indicators that showed gains of more than 0.05 percent over the last six months were average manufacturing hours, average weekly unemployment claims, diesel fuel consumption and new orders. Read more