The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. Increased Sharply in October

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Friday, November 20th, 2015

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.6 percent in October to 124.1 (2010 = 100), following a 0.1 percent decline in September, and a 0.1 percent decline in August.

"The U.S. LEI rose sharply in October, with the yield spread, stock prices, and building permits driving the increase," said Ataman Ozyildirim, Director of Business Cycles and Growth Research at The Conference Board. "Despite lackluster third quarter growth, the economic outlook now appears to be improving. While the U.S. LEI's six-month growth rate has moderated, the U.S. economy remains on track for continued expansion heading into 2016."

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.2 percent in October to 113.0 (2010 = 100), following a 0.1 percent increase in September, and a 0.2 percent increase in August.

The Conference Board Lagging Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.2 percent in October to 119.3 (2010 = 100), following a 0.6 percent increase in September, and a 0.2 percent increase in August.  

Summary Table of Composite Economic Indexes

 

2015

 

6-month

 

Aug

 

Sep

 

Oct

 

Apr to Oct

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leading Index

123.4

r

123.3

 

124.1

p

 

 

  Percent Change

-0.1

r

-0.1

r

0.6

p

1.6

 

  Diffusion

55.0

 

50.0

 

90.0

 

75.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coincident Index

112.7

r

112.8

 

113.0

p

 

 

  Percent Change

0.2

r

0.1

r

0.2

p

0.9

 

  Diffusion

100.0

 

75.0

 

75.0

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lagging Index

118.4

 

119.1

r

119.3

p

 

 

  Percent Change

0.2

r

0.6

r

0.2

p

2.3

 

  Diffusion

64.3

 

64.3

 

78.6

 

92.9