Day: March 19, 2026

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U.S. Leading Indicators Forecast Further Slowdown – WSJ

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U.S. Leading Indicators Forecast Further Slowdown – WSJ

The U.S. economy is expected to slow further amid continued headwinds, while conflict in the Middle East further clouds the growth outlook, according to a basket of monthly economic indicators.

The Leading Economic Index, or LEI, published Thursday by research group The Conference Board, inched down by 0.1% to 97.5, after a 0.2% decline in December.

“The U.S. LEI fell further in January, as consumer expectations retreated again and building permits softened,” said Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, senior manager at The Conference Board.

The reading signals continued headwinds to economic activity, though data showed improvement over the six-month period, she said.

The index fell 1.3% over the six months between July and January, compared with a 2.6% contraction over the previous six-month period, according to the report.

 

Attacks on Oil and Natural Gas Facilities Could Lead to Much Higher Prices – The New York Times

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Attacks on Oil and Natural Gas Facilities Could Lead to Much Higher Prices – The New York Times

Increasing attacks on energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf could significantly hurt the already strained global supply of oil and natural gas, pushing fuel prices much higher.

Important energy sites were attacked this week across the region. The main state-owned energy company in Qatar, the world’s third largest supplier of liquefied natural gas, reported “sizable fires and extensive further damage” on Thursday at its facilities after those areas were also struck on Wednesday.

The escalating attacks will make it much harder for energy producers in the Gulf to repair and restart their oil and gas operations when the war ultimately ends. Asian countries, which are the biggest buyers of Persian Gulf energy, face the greatest risk of fuel shortages, but the pain of higher oil and natural gas prices will be felt across much of the globe.