Global Leading Indicators

For Release 10:30 AM ET, September 10, 2025

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 increased by 0.7% to 112.3 (2016=100) in July 2025, after increasing by 1.1% in June. As a result, the LEI expanded by 3.5% over the six-month period between January and July 2025, more than reversing a 0.3% contraction over the previous six-month period between July 2024 and January 2025.

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index^® (CEI) for South Korea increased by 0.8% to 109.6 (2016=100) in July 2025, after increasing by 0.4% in June. Overall, the CEI expanded by 2.2% over the six-month period between January and July 2025, accelerating strongly from a 0.1% increase over the previous six-month period.

“The South Korea LEI increased again in July” said Malala Lin, Economic Research Associate, at The Conference Board. “The LEI’s gain was mainly driven by an increase in stock prices, which reached a four-year high. Positive contributions from private construction orders, exports and the inventory-to-shipment index also pushed the Index up in July. Both the LEI 6-month and annual growth rates continued to increase, suggesting solid growth ahead. Additionally, trade uncertainty has eased as officials continue to work through the details of the US–Korea trade deal reached in late July. Further, while there may be some impact of the levied tariffs, the Korean government has announced plans to sustain the recent surges in consumption and further support the domestic economy. Overall, The Conference Board expects growth at around 1% in 2025.”

The next release is scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. ET.

The South Korea LEI increased in July

A four-year high of stock prices fueled the LEI’s increase

The South Korea LEI annual growth rate increased in July, suggesting tailwinds to growth ahead

About The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) and Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for South Korea
The composite economic indexes are key elements in an analytic system designed to signal peaks and troughs in the business cycle. Comprised of multiple independent indicators, the indexes are constructed to summarize and reveal common turning points in the economy in a clearer and more convincing manner than any individual component.

The CEI reflects current economic conditions and is highly correlated with real GDP. The LEI is a predictive tool that anticipates—or “leads”—turning points in the business cycle by around three months.

The six components of the Leading Economic Index® for South Korea are:

• Stock Prices
• Yield of Government Public Bonds
• Real Exports FOB (3-month moving average)
• Value of Machinery Orders
• Index of Inventories to Shipments
• Private Construction Orders

The four components of the Coincident Economic Index® for South Korea are:

• Industrial Production
• Wholesale and Retail Sales
• Total Employment
• Monthly Cash Earnings

To access data, please visit: https://data-central.conference-board.org/

About The Conference Board

The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead^®. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. ConferenceBoard.org