The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Mexico declined 0.5 percent in February to 121.2 (2004 = 100), following a 1.4 percent decline in January, and a 0.2 percent decline in December.
At the same time, The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for Mexico, a measure of current economic activity, increased 0.1 percent in February to 123.0 (2004 = 100), following a 0.2 percent increase in January, and a 0.2 percent increase in December.
The LEI for Mexico has declined in four of the last six months. As a result, the six-month change in the LEI has been negative since the beginning of this year, with widespread weaknesses among its components. Meanwhile, the CEI for Mexico increased modestly again, and its six-month growth rate has improved compared to the very weak first half of last year. The negative growth and widespread weakness in the LEI over the last six months suggests that the current moderate pace of economic activity is unlikely to pick up in the coming months.
