France Advances In July, Mexico Doesn't

ByJohn S. McClenahen The index of leading economic indicators for Mexico was unchanged in July, while on the other side of the Atlantic, France's leading index increased 0.2%, according to data from the Conference Board, a New York-based business research group. Sparked in part by industrial new orders, France's leading index now stands at 104.6 (1990=100). The index increased by 0.3% in June and was unchanged in May. "This has moderated the recent slowdown in the growth rate of the leading index to about [a] 3.0% (annual rate) from 4.0% to 5.0% earlier this year," says the Conference Board, adding, nevertheless, that "the growth in the leading index continues to be widespread."