Economic indicators in county show gains
By Dean Calbreath
Union-Tribune Staff Writer
San Diego County’s leading economic indicators grew in September by their largest percentage in more than five years, driven by rebounds in home-building and consumer confidence, according to a report released yesterday by the University of San Diego.
September was the fifth month in a row that the indicators have climbed, after three years of steady decline. Not since March 2004 — as the housing market was soaring to its greatest heights — has the index risen 1 percent in a single month.
Despite the recent growth, however, the index is only at 103.4 points — one of its lowest levels in the history of its data bank, which dates to 1977. It has improved since hitting a nadir of 100.7 in March. But it remains below where it was in January, at 105.7.