URI economist says 4th quarter in Rhode Island begins with bad news

October’s Current Conditions Index drops to 67, its lowest value since May


WHAT: The Current Conditions Index for October fell to 67, its lowest value since May. This should not come as a complete surprise, however, since the U.S. economy has been slowing, especially in manufacturing, which was also affected here in Rhode Island.


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


WHEN: Monday, December 14, 2015


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.