Economic Indicators

From Reuters Financial Glossary

Published data that provide information on the state of an economy, such as gross domestic product, the consumer price index, money supply, the trade balance and unemployment. They can give clues about the future direction of output and demand, prompting reaction from consumers, governments, companies and financial markets. Leading indicators move ahead of the overall economic cycle; lagging indicators move afterwards and coincident indicators move at the same time.

See also: Lagging Indicators, Leading Indicators, Coincident Indicators