US Leading Economic Index Holds Steady at 99.6 in September
The Conference Board's LEI was flat in September 2026 after a slight August dip, marking a positive six-month trend reversal.
The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index for the United States was unchanged in September 2026, holding at 99.6 on a 2016 baseline of 100, according to data released Wednesday. The reading followed a 0.1% decline in August, suggesting the pace of deterioration has stabilized.
Over the six-month stretch from March through September 2026, the index posted a cumulative gain of 0.6%, a notable turnaround from the 1.1% contraction recorded over the comparable prior period. The shift in trajectory signals that near-term economic momentum may be gradually firming, though a single flat reading does not confirm a sustained recovery.
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The LEI is a composite of ten forward-looking indicators designed to anticipate economic turning points several months in advance. A prolonged period of decline in the index has historically preceded slowdowns or recessions, making the recent stabilization and modest six-month uptick a closely watched development among forecasters and policymakers.
Analysts will be monitoring subsequent monthly readings to determine whether September's plateau represents a durable floor or a temporary pause within a broader downward trend. The Conference Board is scheduled to release the October LEI figure next month.
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