U.S. Leading Economic Index Increases In November

The Conference Board said the U.S. leading index increased 0.3 percent in November. The coincident index increased 0.2 percent, and the lagging index also decreased 0.3 percent in November. The leading index has now increased at almost a 6.0 percent annual rate from its most recent low in April, and this strength has been extremely widespread. Consistent with the upward trend of the leading index, the growth rate of the coincident index strengthened, and real GDP growth jumped to an 8.2 percent annual rate in the third quarter.

The leading index now stands at 114.2 (1996=100). Based on revised data, the index increased 0.5 percent in October and remained unchanged in September. During the six-month span through November, the leading index increased 2.2 percent, with nine out of 10 components advancing.