The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the US Declined in March After Increasing in February

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the US declined by 0.6% in March 2026 to 97.3 (2016=100), more than reversing its 0.3% increase in February to 97.9, up from 97.6 in January. Overall, the LEI fell by 1.0% over the six months between September 2025 and March 2026, more than halving the rate of decline of its 2.1% contraction over the previous six-month period (March to September 2025). "After rising in February, the US LEI pulled back sharply in March, as building permits declined and consumer expectations and stock prices weakened," said Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, Senior Manager, Business ...