WHAT: Rhode Island began the second quarter on a somewhat disappointing note, as the Current Conditions Index slid to 67 in April. For the first time this year, it failed to beat its year-earlier value. Much of the state’s economic momentum throughout the remainder of the year will be dictated by events at the national and global levels.
WHO: URI Professor of Economics Leonard Lardaro, creator and author of the Current Conditions Index.
WHEN: For release today, June 10, 2013
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.
FOR INFORMATION: Leonard Lardaro, office, 401-874-4128, home, 401-783-9563
Dave Lavallee, URI Marketing & Communications, 401-874-2116.
BACKGROUND: The Current Conditions Index, created by Lardaro, measures the strength of the present economic climate in R.I. by following the behavior of 12 indicators.