2026.05.2214:00:00UTC+00US Leading Index Turns Positive in April, Hinting at Firmer Growth Outlook

The US Leading Index edged back into positive territory in April 2026, signaling a potential stabilization in the economic outlook after a weak March reading. The index stood at 0.1% for April on a month-over-month basis, according to data updated on 22 May 2026.

This marks a notable improvement from March 2026, when the Leading Index registered a -0.6% month-over-month change, reflecting softer conditions at the time. The latest figure suggests that, compared with the prior month, forward-looking indicators of US economic activity have modestly strengthened.

The data are compiled on a month-over-month comparison, where the current reading reflects the change in April relative to March, while the previous figure captured the change in March versus February. Although the April uptick is small, the shift from negative to slightly positive territory may ease some concerns about the near-term trajectory of the US economy.