Global Leading Indicators

For Release 9:30 AM ET, October 16, 2026

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 France increased by 0.2% in August 2026 to 112.2 (2016=100), after rising by 0.3% in July. Over the six-month period from February to August 2026, the France LEI increased by 1.4%, moderating from a 2.0% increase over the previous six-month period, from August 2025 through February 2026.

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index^® (CEI) for France was unchanged at 110.6 (2016=100) in August 2026 and remained at this level since April. Over the recent six-month period from February to August 2026, the France CEI ticked down by 0.1%, the same reading registered for the previous six-month period (August 2025 through February 2026).

The next release is scheduled for Monday, November 16, 2026, at 9:30 A.M. ET.

The France LEI increased in August

About The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) and Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for France

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 twelve months.

The seven components of Leading Economic Index® for France are:

• Yield Spread 
• Stock Prices
• Building Permits
• New Unemployment Claims
• Industrial New Orders
• Production Expectations
• Ratio P/L Cost

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

• Industrial Production
• Personal Consumption
• Employment (Private sector)
• Wages and Salaries

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

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 nonpartisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. TCB.org