Global Leading Indicators

This month’s release of the composite economic indexes incorporates annual benchmark revisions which bring them up-to-date with revisions in the source data. These revisions do not change the cyclical properties of the indexes. The indexes are updated throughout the year, but only for the previous six months. Data revisions that fall outside of the moving six-month window are not incorporated until the benchmark revision is made and the entire histories of the indexes are recomputed. As a result, the revised indexes, in levels and month-on-month changes, will not be directly comparable to those issued prior to the benchmark revision.

For more information, please visit https://www.conference-board.org/topics/business-cycle-indicators/ or contact us at indicators@conference-board.org.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index^®(LEI) for South Korea decreased by 0.2% to 108.8 (2016=100) in November 2024, after decreasing by 0.3% in October. Over the six-month period between May and November 2024, the LEI slightly slowed to 0.8% growth from 1.0% over the previous six-month period between November 2023 and May 2024.

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index^® (CEI) for South Korea ticked down by 0.1% to 108.2 (2016=100) in November 2024, after remaining unchanged in October. Overall, the CEI increased by 0.3% over the six-month period between May and November 2024, partially reversing the 0.5% contraction over the previous six-month period.

“The South Korea LEI inched down in November,” said Malala Lin, Economic Research Associate, at The Conference Board. “Declining exports (3-month moving average), stock prices and machinery orders drove the Index down. As a result, the semi-annual and annual growth rates of the LEI continued to slow, suggesting potential headwinds ahead. Moreover, uncertainty looms over the economy amid the political crisis that arose in early December. Since then, the Korean stocks have taken a hit and the Won has weakened. Although not yet captured by the LEI, the current political situation may weigh on the economy going forward. Overall, The Conference Board expects real GDP to moderate in the first quarter of the year and annual growth to reach 2.1% in 2025, after 2.2% in 2024.”

The next release is scheduled for Thursday, February 6th, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. ET.