Leading vs. Lagging Indicators

Leading vs. Lagging Indicators Leading IndicatorsAn 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 5 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 suppliers.

5. The amount of new orders for capital goods unrelated to defense.