The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the United States Declined Modestly in January

US Leading Economic Index Shows Slight Decline in January 2026

The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the United States edged down by 0.1% in January 2026, reaching a value of 97.5 (with 2016 as the base year). This follows a 0.2% decrease recorded in December. Over the six months from July 2025 to January 2026, the LEI dropped by 1.3%, which is only half the pace of the 2.6% decline observed in the previous half-year period (January to July 2025).

According to Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, Senior Manager of Business Cycle Indicators at The Conference Board, "The US LEI continued its downward trend in January, driven by weaker consumer outlooks and a slowdown in building permits."