By Robert Hughes
AIER's Leading Indicators index returned to neutral in May; outlook remains uncertain
AIER's Leading Indicators index rose 12 points to a neutral reading of 50 in May, up from 38 in April. The Roughly Coincident Indicators index and the Lagging Indicators index both fell, to 75 and 42, respectively (see chart). May is the second consecutive month of improvement for the leaders index. The back-to-back improvements and neutral 50 reading reduce some of the concern regarding the outlook. However, mixed economic reports and a high degree of uncertainty regarding trade policy suggest