Data collected by the Bureau of Census is analyzed and used by policymakers who govern the country and make economic decisions that affect business on a day-to-day basis. The Bureau of Census collects data on the balance of trade and foreign import and export, and it reports data to the government and the public at large. Some of the data collected by the Bureau of Census is used by the Conference Board to produce its Composite Indexes of Leading, Lagging and Coincident Indicators.