Global Leading Indicators

For Release 10:30 AM ET, September 9, 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 South Korea decreased by 1.4% to 118.3 (2016=100) in July 2026, more than reversing a 1.2% increase in June. However, the LEI expanded by 2.9% over the six-month period between January and July 2026, a slightly higher rate compared to the 2.1% growth over the previous six-month period between July 2025 and January 2026.

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index^® (CEI) for South Korea inched down in July by 0.2% to 112.9 (2016=100), only partially reversing a 1.7% increase in June. Overall, the CEI expanded by 1.2% over the six-month period between January and July 2026, slightly slower than the 1.3% growth over the previous six-month period.

The next release is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 10:30 A.M. ET.

The South Korea LEI fell sharply in July  

The decline was driven by the weakness in non-financial components and a decrease in stock prices, which have been the main source of support for the index in the past six months

The annual growth rate of the South Korea LEI fell quite substantially in July, indicating potential tailwinds to economic activity in the near term

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://esf.conferenceboard.esgauge.org/data-central

 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 organization holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. TCB.org  l  Learn about Membership