In December 2004, the most recent month for which data are available, the Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators for the UK was unchanged from November. The New York-based business research group's leading index for the UK remains at 133.6 (1990=100).
The growth rate of the leading index has slowed in recent months, as has the growth rate of inflation-adjusted GDP. Real GDP grew at an annual rate of 2.5% in the second half of 2004. "The current behavior of the leading index suggests that this recent economic growth should continue in the near term," says the Conference Board.
