2026.05.2701:00:00UTC+00Australia’s MI Leading Index Turns Positive in April, Hinting at Brighter Growth Outlook

Australia’s MI Leading Index moved back into positive territory in April, suggesting a modest improvement in the country’s medium‑term growth outlook. The index rose to 0.1% in April 2026 on a month‑over‑month basis, compared with a reading of -0.1% in the prior month.

Both the current and previous readings relate to April 2026, with the “actual” figure reflecting the change from March to April and the “previous” figure capturing the change from February to March. The shift from negative to positive territory indicates that key forward-looking components tracked by the MI Leading Index are now pointing to slightly stronger economic momentum.

The updated data, released on 27 May 2026, will be closely watched by investors and policymakers assessing whether Australia’s economy is transitioning from a soft patch toward a more sustained expansion in the months ahead. While the magnitude of the move is modest, the turn in direction may signal early signs of stabilisation in underlying activity.