The monthly index of leading economic indicators for San Diego County was unchanged in September compared to the previous month, according to University of San Diego Professor Alan Gin, who marked his 25th anniversary of issuing the reports.
Gin said the index has changed a lot over "an interesting 25 years."
"We had different components when we began," Gin said.
"We had new orders for defense manufactured goods, but with the decline of aerospace here in San Diego, that became less of a leading indicator," he said. "What we've had over the years is that as the index became more and more prominent, more people wanted to include their data as part of the index."
He said people come up and tell him they use the index in making business decisions.
"Sometimes that's a little bit scary, but I'm pleased that people have found that information useful and helpful to them in their businesses," Gin said.
In the index for last month, local stock prices, consumer confidence and the outlook for the national economy made gains, but the jobs picture worsened and the number of residential construction permits issued by local governments fell.
According to Gin, the amount of help wanted advertisements has fallen six months in a row. The building permit component was murkier — he said it has fallen for six out of the last seven months, but is still up 28 percent so far this year over 2015.
In September, the index stood at 139.9, roughly where it was around the beginning of this year, with "a roller coaster" in between, he said.
Gin said San Diego's economy figures to continue growing through the first half of next year, albeit at a slower pace.
