The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the US inched down by 0.1% in January 2026 to 97.5 (2016=100), following a 0.2% decline in December. Overall, the LEI fell by 1.3% over the six-month period from July 2025 to January 2026, half the rate of decline compared to its –2.6% contraction over the previous six months (January to July 2025). "The U.S. LEI fell further in January, as consumer expectations retreated again and building permits softened," said Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, Senior Manager, Business Cycle Indicators, at The Conference Board. "While the topline LEI continues to signal ... (full story)