Economic indicators are statistical measures used to gauge the health of an economy or particular sectors within the economy.  These indicators are often used by analysts, investors, policymakers, and others to make informed decisions about economic conditions and the potential impact of various economic policies.  The three main types of economic indicators are:

• Leading Indicators - economic measures that change before the economy changes.  They provide insight into future economic trends.  Leading indicators are often used by businesses and policymakers to anticipate changes in the economy and adjust their strategies accordingly.


• Coincident Indicators - economic measures that change at the same time as the economy changes.  They provide a real-time snapshot of the current state of the economy.  Coincident indicators are used to confirm the direction of the economy.


• Lagging Indicators - economic measures that change after the economy has already begun to change.  They provide a reflection of past economic trends.  Lagging indicators are often used to confirm or validate other indicators.