Financial News: U.S. Leading Economic Index Edges Higher For Second

U.S. Leading Economic Index Edges Higher For Second Straight Month In May

06/18/2026 - 10:21:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - A report released by the Conference Board on Thursday showed its reading on leading U.S. economic indicators edged higher for the second straight month in May.

The Conference Board said its leading economic index inched up by 0.1 percent in May after rising by 0.2 percent in April. The uptick matched economist estimates.

"The Leading Index for the US increased slightly in May, fueled entirely by positive contributions from financial components, especially stock prices and the interest rate spread," said Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, Senior Manager, Business Cycle Indicators, at The Conference Board.

She added, "On the non-financial side of the LEI, only ISM New Orders Index showed some strength, with consumer expectations remaining a major drag."

After two consecutive increases, the Conference Board said the LEI is down just 0.3 percent over the six months between November 2025 and May 2026, a much smaller rate of decline than its 1.3 percent contraction over the previous six months.

The report also said the coincident economic index rose by 0.2 percent in May after inching up by 0.1 percent in the previous month.

Meanwhile, the Conference Board said the lagging economic index edged down by 0.1 percent in May after climbing by 0.5 percent in April.

"Consumers are feeling squeezed because everyday costs-especially gas and energy-are rising faster than their incomes, leaving many households with less money available for things like travel, restaurants, entertainment, and shopping," said Zabinska-La Monica.

She continued, "The good news is that businesses are spending heavily on AI, data centers, and new technology, helping to keep the economy growing, while consumers pull back spending."

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Market News provided by RTTNews

RECENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS

U.S. Leading Economic Index Dips Slightly More Than Expected In June (07 hr(s), 26 min(s), 09 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Partially reversing gains registered in May and April, the Conference Board released a ...Full Story»

Portugal Proucer Price Inflation Eases To 5.0% (10 hr(s), 51 min(s), 09 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Portugal's producer price inflation slowed marginally in June from a more than thr ...Full Story»

Poland Industrial Output Growth Hits 9-month High; Producer Price Inflation Eases (12 hr(s), 56 min(s), 09 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Poland's industrial production expanded at the quickest pace in nine months in Jun ...Full Story»

China Holds Loan Prime Rates As Expected (12 hr(s), 57 min(s), 09 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - China maintained its loan prime rates unchanged for the fourteenth consecutive month, ...Full Story»

Estonia Producer Price Inflation Rises To 3.8% (14 hr(s), 20 min(s), 09 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Estonia's producer price inflation accelerated for the third straight month in Jun ...Full Story»

Germany Producer Prices Rise For Third Month (15 hr(s), 04 min(s), 09 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Germany's producer prices increased for the third straight month in June, data fro ...Full Story»

Malaysia Trade Surplus Grows In June (15 hr(s), 06 min(s), 09 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The Malaysian foreign trade surplus increased notably in June from a year ago as expor ...Full Story»

New Zealand Trade Surplus NZ$23 Million In June (27 min(s), 51 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - New Zealand posted a merchandise trade surplus of NZ$23 million in June, Statistics Ne ...Full Story»