Global Leading Indicators

For Release 10:30 AM ET, August 6, 2025

Using the Composite Indexes: The Leading Economic Index (LEI) provides an early indication of significant turning points in the business cycle and where the economy is heading in the near term. The Coincident Economic Index (CEI) provides an indication of the current state of the economy. Additional details are below.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index^®(LEI) for South Korea increased by 1.0% to 111.4 (2016=100) in June 2025, after increasing by 0.5% in May. Consequently, the LEI expanded by 1.9% over the first half of 2025, a much faster rate than the 0.3% growth over the second half of 2024.  

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index^® (CEI) for South Korea increased by 0.3% to 108.6 (2016=100) in June 2025, partly reversing a 0.6% decrease in May. Overall, the CEI expanded by 0.7% over the first half of 2025, after contracting by 0.1% over the second half of 2024. 

“The South Korea LEI increased again in June” said Malala Lin, Economic Research Associate, at The Conference Board. “Improvements in stock prices, exports (3-month moving average), and the index of inventories to shipments led the increase in the LEI. Additionally, the LEI growth rates kept momentum, suggesting solid growth ahead, after the stronger-than-expected GDP growth in Q2. Pressures on growth will also lessen as a result of the recently reached US-Korea trade deal. While the tariffs are higher than a year ago at 15%, they are below previous rates considered by the US administration and, importantly, a trade deal reduces uncertainty. Moreover, the Korean government plans to implement more policy measures to support domestic demand. Overall, The Conference Board expects growth at around 1% in 2025.”

The next release is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10th, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. ET.

The South Korea LEI increased in June

The increase in the LEI was led by exports, stock prices and the inventories-to-shipment index

The South Korea LEI annual growth rate held steady in June, suggesting tailwinds to growth ahead

About The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) and Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for South Korea
The composite economic indexes are key elements in an analytic system designed to signal peaks and troughs in the business cycle. Comprised of multiple independent indicators, the indexes are constructed to summarize and reveal common turning points in the economy in a clearer and more convincing manner than any individual component.

The CEI reflects current economic conditions and is highly correlated with real GDP. The LEI is a predictive tool that anticipates—or “leads”—turning points in the business cycle by around three months.

The six components of the Leading Economic Index® for South Korea are:

• Stock Prices
• Yield of Government Public Bonds
• Real Exports FOB (3-month moving average)
• Value of Machinery Orders
• Index of Inventories to Shipments
• Private Construction Orders

The four components of the Coincident Economic Index® for South Korea are:

• Industrial Production
• Wholesale and Retail Sales
• Total Employment
• Monthly Cash Earnings

To access data, please visit: https://data-central.conference-board.org/

About The Conference Board

The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead^®. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. ConferenceBoard.org