Leading Economic Index For Germany Rises

The Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators for Germany increased a tenth of a percentage point to 103.9 (1990=100) in November 2004, the most recent month for which data are available. The index was unchanged in October.

The growth rate in the leading index has improved in recent month, although it is well below its growth rate during last half of 2003.

Inflation-adjusted GDP for Germany slowed to an annual rate of 0.4% during the third quarter of 2003. However, "the stronger growth in the leading index in recent months suggests that economic growth should pick up slightly in the near term," says the Conference Board, a New York-based business research group.