China Center LEI Commentary: China LEI points to increasing uncertainty amidst continued gradual slowing of the economy

This China Center members-only report provides interpretive comments on The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for China.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for China increased 1.6 percent in January from the month before, led by an uptick in consumer expectations and strong preliminary data for construction activity. Although the six month growth rate of the LEI was up at 5.3 percent in the six months to January, the expansion remains slower than that seen in the first half of 2011. The slower growth in the six-month rate suggests continued gradual slowdown in China over the coming months.