Lubbock Economic Index Increases for April 2013

Lubbock’s economic index continues to climb.

The LEI posted an increase in April 2013, rising to 134.5, up from March’s 133.5 and up 8.5 percent from April 2012’s LEI of 123.9.

The index is higher than it has ever been, and continues to improve.

According to Lubbock National Bank, general spending is higher through April, and construction and housing continue to provide support to the LEI.

April sales tax receipts were up by nearly 7 percent compared to April 2012.

The Lubbock Consumer Price index remained steady for April 2013, remaining unchanged from March’s 2.2 percent.

The food/grocery sector of the Lubbock CPI dropped to 1.3 percent for April 2013, down from March’s 1.5 percent and far down from April 2012’s 4.2 percent.

The health care sector of the Lubbock CPI declined to 3 percent for April 2013, down from March’s 3.1 percent.

The national CPI-U dropped to 1.1 percent for April, down from March’s 1.5 percent.