Leading Indicators Ticked Down in August

The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. fell 0.1% in August to 99.5, its first monthly decline since March. The latest dip points to softening momentum in the indicators designed to forecast economic activity ahead of time. The report says consumer expectations remained a meaningful drag on the index, contributing to the decline. Even with the small move lower, the LEI’s pause after months of gains suggests investors and households may be tempering outlooks. Overall, August’s results continue to underscore uncertainty in parts of the consumer-driven economy.