leading indicator
Definition of leading indicator
: an economic indicator (such as the level of corporate profits or of stock prices) that more often than not shows a change in direction before a corresponding change in the state of the economy —called also leader
Explore Merriam-Webster
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
Financial Definition of LEADING INDICATOR
leading indicator
What It Is
How It Works
Popular leading indicators include average weekly hours worked in manufacturing, new orders for capital goods by manufacturers, and applications for unemployment insurance. Lagging indicators include things like employment rates and consumer confidence.
The business cycle has highs and lows. That's why predicting what's around the corner is one of the best (and most difficult) ways to protect and grow portfolios. Leading indicators, which are typically indices composed of a set of securities that tend to be very sensitive to economic fluctuations and thus move sharply higher during the early stages of expansion or lose value quickly when economic conditions deteriorate, can provide that crucial information.
[InvestingAnswers Feature: Leading Economic Indicators Cheat Sheet]
Leading indicators are often indexes, but they can also be certain stocks. For example, let's assume XYZ Company is an auto manufacturer. If XYZ Company stock typically falls before the rest of the automotive sector falls or rises before the rest of the automotive sector rises, we could consider XYZ Company a leading indicator in the auto industry.
Why It Matters
It is definitely worthwhile for investors to track leading economic indicators because they reveal which aspects of the economy are showing relative strength. For example, if multiple variables such as payrolls, exports, and the purchasing managers survey are all rising, investors can expect economic growth to remain steady or even rise in coming quarters -- which is always a good thing for stocks. That's a trend that individual traders can support.
Leading economic indicators can also send you clues regarding inflationary or deflationary pressures. If the economy is starting to fire on all cylinders, investors may grow concerned that inflationary bottleneck pressures will emerge, forcing the Federal Reserve to push up interest rates. Rising rates can become a headwind for the stock market if they rise too high. (i.e., Prime Rate above 5%). Conversely, a fast-dropping set of leading economic indicators could signal interest rate cuts in the future.
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up leading indicator? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!