USD Economic Index Makes Big Jump

San Diego Business Journal -- While a regional economic index rose for a sixth straight month in September, the overall picture for San Diego remains weak and the slump will likely continue until next year, according to the University of San Diego’s Index of Leading Economic Indicators released Oct. 27.

The USD economic index increased by 1 percent in September, its biggest jump since April when the index rose a mere 0.2 percent.

The index, a measurement of six components, showed a significant gain from a jump in the area’s consumer confidence index, a larger number of issued building permits and a rising national economic index.

However, during the month a record number of initial claims for unemployment insurance were filed, which is measured as a negative. Small declines in local stock prices and help-wanted ads also depressed the overall index, according to the index report compiled by Alan Gin, a USD economics professor. (Full Story)