The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Australia declined 0.1 percent in September to 103.5 (2010 = 100), following a 0.4 percent decline in August, and a 0.4 percent increase in July.
At the same time, The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for Australia, a measure of current economic activity, increased 0.2 percent in September to 109.2 (2010 = 100), following a 0.4 percent increase in August, and a 0.3 percent increase in July.
The Conference Board LEI for Australia decreased in September and has declined in six of the last seven months. As a result, the six-month growth rate of the LEI has remained in negative territory. Meanwhile, the CEI for Australia continues to increase, but its six-month growth rate has moderated in recent months. The downward trend in the LEI combined with the slower growth rate of the CEI suggests that the current economic expansion will continue at a modest pace in the near-term, but downside risks may persist.
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