U.S. Leading Economic Index Unchanged in September, GDP Growth Forecast Raised

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. remained unchanged in September 2026 at 99.6, following a 0.1% decline in August. Gains in the interest rate spread and manufacturing hours were offset by weak consumer expectations and declines in stock prices and new orders. Meanwhile, the Coincident Economic Index (CEI) for the U.S. increased by 0.3% in September. The Conference Board now projects real GDP to grow by an annualized rate of 2.2% in 2026, an upward revision from its previous forecast.