Germany's Leading Index Rises A Bit

ByJohn S. McClenahen Although Germany's index of leading indicators rose a tenth of a percentage point in June, the Federal Republic's economy looks to remain relatively weak. One factor: May's leading index increase has been revised to a 0.1% decline, according to the Conference Board, a New York-based business research group. The leading index for Germany now stands at 101.6 (1990=100). "Real GDP increased at a 1.8% average annual rate in the first two quarters of 2004, and the weakness in the leading index early this year suggests some slowdown in the rate of economic growth," says the Conference Board.