WHAT: Rhode Island ended the third quarter on a fairly positive but mixed note, as there was good and bad news. First, the good news: the Current Conditions Index rose from 67 in August to 75 in September, as nine indicators improved overall. The bad news comes when we contrast our state’s performance this year with last year. For a second consecutive month, and the third time in four months, the index failed to exceed its year-earlier value.

WHO: URI Professor of Economics Leonard Lardaro, creator and author of the Current Conditions Index.

WHEN: For release today, November 25, 2013

HOW: Use attached information, including summary and charts prepared by Lardaro for news reports. He is available for broadcast and print interviews. The new information and other historical information can also be found on Lardaro’s web site at http://www.llardaro.com/current.htm. Lardaro will be blogging about the new labor data during the coming weeks. You can find his discussion and charts at Lardaro’s website.

FOR INFORMATION: Leonard Lardaro, office, 401-874-4128, home, 401-783-9563.

Dave Lavallee, URI Department of Communications and Marketing, 401-874-2116.

BACKGROUND: The Current Conditions Index, created by Lardaro, measures the strength of the present economic climate in R.I. by following the behavior of 12 indicators.