The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Korea declined 1.2 percent in August to 107.9 (2010 = 100), following a 0.3 percent decline in July, and a 0.2 percent decline in June.
At the same time, The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for Korea, a measure of current economic activity, increased 0.2 percent in August to 107.9 (2010 = 100), following a 0.4 percent increase in July, and a 0.2 percent increase in June.
The LEI for Korea decreased in August for the fourth consecutive month. As a result, its six-month growth rate has slipped into negative territory. Meanwhile, the CEI for Korea increased for the third consecutive month but its six-month growth rate has moderated. Taken together, the continued downward trend in the LEI and the moderation of the CEI growth points to increased downside risks to Korea's economic expansion in the near term.
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