Global Leading Indicators

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index^®(LEI) for South Korea increased by 1.0 percent in March 2022 to 108.0 (2016=100), after declining by 0.8 percent in February 2022. Moreover, the LEI decreased by 0.8 percent in the six-month period from September 2021 to March 2022.

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index^® (CEI) for South Korea increased by 0.4 percent in March 2022 to 108.5 (2016=100), following a 1.2 percent increase in February 2022. The CEI grew by 2.7 percent in the six-month period from September 2021 to March 2022.

 “The LEI for South Korea Increased in March partially reversing two months of large declines,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, Senior Director of Economic Research at The Conference Board. “The gain in the LEI for South Korea was driven primarily by firming in the contribution of the inventories to shipments ratio suggesting, an improving outlook for manufacturing and exports. However, the financial components of the LEI are already reflecting the global economic effects of the war in Ukraine which is likely to create additional headwinds to the economic outlook for South Korea.”

The South Korea LEI increased in March suggesting economic growth will continue in short-term, but the Ukraine crisis still poses downward risks 

The recent trajectory of the South Korea LEI points to moderate economic growth while risks may be rising due to the COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine 

About The Conference Board Leading Economic Index^® (LEI) for South Korea: The composite economic indexes are the key elements in an analytic system designed to signal peaks and troughs in the business cycle. 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 is highly correlated with real GDP. The LEI is a predictive variable that anticipates (or “leads”) turning points in the business cycle by 3 months. Shaded areas denote recession periods or economic contractions. The dates above the shaded areas show the chronology of peaks and troughs in the business cycle.

The six components of The Conference Board Leading Economic Index^® for South Korea include: Stock Prices, Yield of Government Public Bonds, Exports FOB, Value of Machinery Orders, Index of Inventories to Shipments, Private Construction Orders.

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. www.conference-board.org • Learn more about our mission and becoming a member