Leading Indicators:An index published monthly by the Conference Board used to predict the direction of the economy's movements in the months to come. The index is made up of 10 economic components, whose changes tend to precede changes in the overall economy. These 10 components include:
1. the average weekly hours worked by manufacturing workers
2. The average number of initial applications for unemployment insurance
3. The amount of manufacturer's new orders for consumer goods and materials
4. The speed of delivery of new merchandise to vendors from suppliers5. The amount of new orders for capital goods unrelated to defense6. The amount of new building permits for residential buildings7. The S&P 500 stock index8. The inflation-adjusted monetary supply (M2)9. The spread between long and short interest rates10. Consumer sentiment
The Composite Index of Leading Indicators is a number that is used by many economic participants to judge what is going to happen in the near future. By looking at the Composite Index of Leading Indicators in the light of business cycles and general economic conditions, investors and businesses can form expectations about what's ahead, and make better-informed decisions.
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