23rd May 2014 09:52
BERLIN (Alliance News) - The leading index for Germany, measuring perceptions about future economic conditions in the country, increased month-over-month in March, though at a slower rate, the Conference Board announced Friday. The coincident index also rose in March.
The Conference Board's leading economic index rose 0.3% in March after a 0.6% increase in February. Four of the seven components making up the headline number improved in the month.
Consumer confidence, new residential construction orders, the yield spread and inventory change contributed positively to the overall index. However, new orders in investment goods industries and stock prices dragged down the rate of increase of the leading index.
The coincident index, measuring present economic conditions, rose 0.1% in March following a 0.3% rise in February.
The leading indicator has been rising since December 2012 and the coincident index since March 2013, indicating that economic growth will continue to improve in the near future, the report said.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX