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USD economic indicators index rises

Rebounding stock prices, a growingly positive outlook for the national economy and cautious optimism among local consumers provide growing evidence that San Diego County's economy is on the way to recovery, according to an index of leading economic indicators released Thursday by the University of San Diego.

The USD index rose for the fourth time in a row in July, reversing a steep, nearly unbroken decline that began in the summer of 2006. But the county remains haunted by a weak job market and an uneven comeback in real estate, suggesting that the economy will not hit bottom until the first half of next year.

“It's good news that the index has been up for four months in a row, but it is a little less robust than it has been, said USD economist Alan Gin, who compiles the index, “I still anticipate some bottom in the first half of 2010, led by consumer spending and more growth in real estate.” (Full Story)