The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for India increased 0.2 percent in March. The index stands at 177.5 (2004 = 100), following a 0.4 percent decline in February and a 0.9 percent increase in January. Four of the eight components contributed positively to the index in March.
Said Jing Sima, Economist at The Conference Board: "Sharp gains in stock prices and a more competitive exchange rate helped the Leading Economic Index for India increase in March. Meanwhile the Coincident Economic Index, which gauges current economic conditions, showed a strong improvement after a very weak February. Although it is too early to conclude that the current cyclical slowdown has come to an end, the recent acceleration in the LEI growth is signaling a slightly faster pace of economic expansion in the coming months."