Global Leading Indicators

For Release 10:30 AM ET, November 7, 2024

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 slightly increased by 0.2% to 109.0 (2016=100) in September 2024, after also increasing 0.2% in August. Over the six-month period between March and September 2024, the LEI increased by 1.4%, a slightly slower pace than the 1.8% increase, over the previous six-month period between September 2023 and March 2024.

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index^® (CEI) for South Korea ticked up by 0.1% to 108.1 (2016=100) in September 2024 after a significant 1.0% gain in August. As a result, the CEI expanded by 1.5% over the six-month period between March and September 2024, more than reversing the 1.0% contraction over the previous six-month period.

“The South Korea LEI increased in September,” said Malala Lin, Economic Research Associate, at The Conference Board. “Despite weakness in four of the six LEI underlying components, improvements in exports (3-month moving average) and the inventory-to-shipment index more than offset other negative contributions. The semiannual and annual growth rates remained positive, even if down slightly, still suggesting a positive economic outlook for Korea. Moreover, following the Q3 GDP growth turning positive, and though not yet reflected in the LEI, effects of the October rate cut and slowing inflation, may further support growth as the year ends and into 2025.”

The next release is scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024, at 10:30 A.M. ET.