Baidu Planet: China Leading Economic Index Rises to New High! (Chart) *Continued economic expansion, but at a slower rate*

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The Conference Board: China Monthly Leading Economic Index

Official Statement by The Conference Board (Beijing, October 19, 2011) The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for China increased 0.5 percent in August to 159.5 (2004 = 100), following a 0.6 percent increase in July and a 0.9 percent increase in June. Four of the six components contributed positively to the index in August. Says Jing Sima, economist for The Conference Board: “The Leading Economic Index for China in August points to continued expansion in economic activity, but at a slower rate in light of domestic monetary tightening and weakening global growth. Despite continued gains in the composite LEI this year, the main drivers of the upward trend, bank credit expansion and real estate investment, continue to slow compared to 2010. Meanwhile, the cooling of external demand from the United States, the Euro Area, and Japan may be adding to slower growth.”

Trend The short-term trend has been upwards with 8 consecutive monthly increases. The intermediate-term trend and the long-term trend continues upwards.

Cycle History (Beginning in January 2010) The intermediate-term and cyclical high has been the current 159.5 in August 2011. The intermediate-term and cyclical low has been 142.8 in January 2010.

China Monthly Leading Economic Index (Chart) Below is a chart of the China Monthly Leading Economic Index from February 2010 through the latest month reported.

Commentary The China Monthly Leading Economic Index is at a new high of 159.5 (preliminary) in August 2011. The LEI was revised upwards slightly from April through July. Overall, moderate and continuing economic growth is forecast for the remainder of 2011. A small slowdown in 2011, compared to the strong 2010 GDP growth (+10.3% YoY), is anticipated. China is now the second largest economy in the world as reviewed here [China Now Second Largest Economy in the World (Video, GDP Chart) *Surpasses Japan as #2*]

About The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for China The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for China was launched in May 2010. Plotted back to 1986, this index has successfully signaled turning points in the economic cycles of China. The six components of The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for China include:

* Total Loans Issued by Financial Institutions (source: People’s Bank of China)

* 5000 Industry Enterprises Diffusion Index: Raw Materials Supply Index (source: People’s Bank of China)

* NBS Manufacturing PMI Sub-Indices: PMI Supplier Deliveries (source: National Bureau of Statistics)

* Consumer Expectations Index (source: National Bureau of Statistics)

* Total Floor Space Started (source: National Bureau of Statistics)

* NBS Manufacturing PMI Sub-Indices: Export Orders (source: National Bureau of Statistics)

About The Conference Board The Conference Board is a global, independent business membership and research association working in the public interest. Our mission is unique: To provide the world’s leading organizations with the practical knowledge they need to improve their performance and better serve society. The Conference Board is a non-advocacy, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States.

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