The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. In March, the U.S. Leading Economic Index (LEI) fell by 0.7%, pointing to slowing economic activity ahead, but not suggesting an imminent recession. Image: The Conference Board
U.S. ISM Services Prices Paid Index vs. U.S. CPI Inflation (Leading Indicator) The U.S. ISM Services Prices Paid Index typically leads U.S. CPI inflation by three months, suggesting that changes in the index may predict future CPI trends. Image: Deutsche Bank
Copper to Gold Ratio and U.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield (Leading Indicator) The copper/gold ratio and the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield are showing signs of a persistent divergence. Image: Morgan Stanley Research
Fed Funds vs. 2-Year U.S. Treasury Yield (Leading Indicator) The current 2-year U.S. Treasury yield, sitting below the fed funds rate, indicates that the Fed’s monetary policy is restrictive. Historically, the 2-year yield tends to lead the fed funds rate by approximately 20 weeks. Image: Bloomberg
Yield Curve vs. VIX (Leading Indicator) Should U.S. equity investors anticipate increased volatility ahead, given that the yield curve typically leads the VIX by three years? Image: BofA US Equity & Quant Strategy
U.S. Consumer Prices Index vs. U.S. Composite PMI Input Prices (Leading Indicator) U.S. Composite PMI Input Prices tend to lead U.S. CPI by 6 months, reflecting the impact of changes in input prices on consumer prices over time. Image: Charles Schwab
S&P 500 Buybacks vs. CEO Confidence (Leading Indicator) S&P 500 buybacks are likely to rebound, as CEO confidence typically leads buybacks by 6 months. Image: Morgan Stanley Research
Central Banks – Global Monetary Policy Stimulus Leads Global Manufacturing PMI As global monetary policy stimulus tends to lead global manufacturing PMI by 8 months, could this signal the end of the economic slowdown? Image: Topdown Charts
S&P 500 Average Negative Sentiment Score YoY vs. Quarterly EPS YoY (Leading Indicator) The significant increase in corporate sentiment indicates a potential recovery in earnings, which is good news. Image: BofA Global Research
Inflation – CPI Services vs. PPI Services and ISM Non-Manufacturing Prices Paid (Leading Indicator) The ISM Non-Manufacturing Prices Paid and PPI services tend to lead CPI services by 9 months. Image: Alpine Macro
U.S. Dollar Index vs. 10Y-3M Real U.S. Treasury Yield Curve (Leading Indicator) The real U.S. yield curve suggests that the U.S. dollar may weaken over the next 12 months. Image: Morgan Stanley Wealth Management