Embargo until Monday, July 11, 2016

News Advisory

WHAT: The May Current Conditions Index of 50 reflects the continuation of a period of weakness that began three months ago. Ironically, 2015, which had a modest economic performance at best, may in the future come to be viewed as a “strong” year. The May 2015 Current Conditions Index was 67.

WHO: URI Professor of Economics Leonard Lardaro, creator and author of the Current Conditions Index.

WHEN: Embargoed until Monday, July 11, 2016

HOW: Use attached information, including summary and charts prepared by Lardaro for news reports. He is available for broadcast and print interviews. The new information and other historical information can also be found on Lardaro’s web site at http://www.llardaro.com/current.htm. Lardaro will be blogging about the new labor data during the coming weeks. You can find his discussion and charts at http://rieconomy.blogspot.com. Available Online: http://www.llardaro.com/current.htm (NEW URL) Blog: http://rieconomy.blogspot.com

FOR
INFORMATION: Leonard Lardaro, office, 401-874-4128, home, 401-783-9563
Dave Lavallee, URI Department of Communications and Marketing, 401-874-2116.

BACKGROUND: The Current Conditions Index, created by Lardaro, measures the strength of the present economic climate in Rhode Island by following the behavior of 12 indicators.

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