GLOBAL ECONOMIC REPORTER

Here is a summary of important data releases this week regarding the performance of the U.S. economy:

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) improved in June. The index is a weighted average of 85 indicators of national economic activity. The 3-month moving average of CFNAI was -2.12 in June, up 0.53 points from May reading of -2.65. While the negative readings show the U.S. economy is running below its historic trends, the index has improved steadily since January of 2009. The consistently improving readings for the past few months suggest the U.S. economy has started recovering from the current recession, which is in its 19th consecutive month.