The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. Increased in October

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.7 percent in October to 108.2 (2016 = 100), following a 0.7 percent increase in September and a 1.6 percent increase in August.

“The US LEI rose again in October, with widespread improvements despite weakness from housing permits and consumers’ outlook on economic conditions. However, the leading index has been decelerating in recent months, which suggests growth will moderate significantly in the final months of 2020, slowing down from the unusually rapid pace in Q3,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, Senior Director of Economic Research at The Conference Board. “Furthermore, downside risks to growth from a second wave of COVID-19 and high unemployment persist. While The Conference Board projects the US economy will expand in Q4, the pace of growth is unlikely to exceed 2.2 percent (annual rate).”

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index (CEI) for the U.S. increased 0.5 percent in October to 102.7 (2016 = 100), following a 0.4 percent increase in September and a 0.9 percent increase in August.

The Conference Board Lagging Economic Index (LAG) for the U.S. increased 0.1 percent in October to 107.1 (2016 = 100), following a 0.3 percent decrease in September and a 0.2 percent decrease in August.