The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Australia increased 0.1 percent in November to 102.8 (2010 = 100), following a 0.2 percent decrease in October, and a 0.6 percent decrease in September.
At the same time, The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for Australia, a measure of current economic activity, increased 0.5 percent in November to 107.3 (2010 = 100), following a 0.3 percent increase in October, and a 0.2 percent increase in September.
The Conference Board LEI for Australia increased marginally in November following three consecutive monthly declines. As a result, its six-month growth rate remains in negative territory, despite improving slightly compared to the third quarter of 2014. Meanwhile, the CEI for Australia continues to post moderate gains, and its six-month growth rate has picked up somewhat compared to the prior six months. Taken together, the recent behavior of the composite indexes suggests that the economic expansion should continue in the near term, but the pace is unlikely to pick up much in early 2015.