U.S. Leading Economic Index

The Conference Board said the U.S. leading index decreased 0.2 percent in September, led by a large negative contribution from the money supply. The coincident index increased by 0.1 percent in September, resuming the gradual upward trend underway since April. The leading index had increased for four consecutive months before September’s decline, and is still up by 2.3 percent from its recent low in March. The upturns in both the leading and coincident indices since earlier this year have been widespread. The leading index now stands at 113.0 (1996=100). Based on revised data, the index increased 0.4 percent in August and 0.7 percent in July. During the six-month span through September, the leading index increased 2.3 percent, with eight of the 10 components advancing.