leading indicators

[ lee-ding ]

plural noun

, Economics.

1. data that reflect current economic conditions and can suggest future developments or fluctuations in the nation's economy: issued, usually monthly, by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis in the Commerce Department.

Example Sentences

Of the states that are likely to report results fairly rapidly, Georgia, North Carolina and Michigan will be seen as leading indicators.

From Salon

A batch of data from Japan includes household spending and consumption figures, leading indicators, and the latest foreign exchange reserves.

From Reuters

"But it always has taken a little time for changes in labour market slack to influence wage growth and some leading indicators remain encouraging."

From Reuters

Housing detracted, on average, around 1% from real GDP growth between the second and fourth quarters of 2022, but the leading indicators of weakness showed up earlier.

From Seattle Times

“You have leading indicators that suggest a recession is coming, and coincident indicators that suggest the economy is chugging along at a good pace,” said Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist at Nationwide Life Insurance Co.

From Seattle Times