An indicator of the performance of the Japanese economy increased sharply in September, after falling in the previous month, preliminary data released by the Cabinet Office showed Thursday.
The leading economic index, which is designed to measure changes in the direction of the economy, moved up to 109.5 in September from 106.8 in August. The September score was slightly above 109.4 economists had forecast. In July, the index was at 107.9.
At the same time, the coincident economic index, which measures the current economic situation, advanced to 108.2 in September from 107.6 a month earlier.
The lagging index, which gauges the past performance of the economy, increased to 115.1 from 114.4 in August, data showed.