Japan's Leading Index Rises For First Time In 5 Months

Japan's Leading Index Rises For First Time In 5 Months

Japan's leading index improved in August after easing for four consecutive months, preliminary data from the Cabinet Office showed Friday.

The leading economic index, which is designed to measure the direction of the economy in the months ahead, rose to 93.6 in August from 93 in July. The index was forecast to rise to 93.5.

Meanwhile, the coincident index, which measures the current economic activity, dropped in August to 93.6 from 93.8 a month ago.

The lagging index climbed to 87.6 in August from 86.7 in the previous month.