REYKJAVIK, Iceland, May 20, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Iceland Composite Leading Indicator (CLI) continued to rise in April. The indicator published by independent advisory company Analytica, is designed to anticipate turning-points in economic activity relative to trend. The indicator points to continued growth in the months ahead.
Growth prospects for 2014 remain practically unchanged since April. Domestic demand is picking up and growth in tourist arrivals remains strong. However, labor unrest in the tourism sector has the potential of a significant negative impact.
Turning points of the CLI tend to precede turning points in economic activity relative to trend by approximately six months. Economic activity is measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) published by the Statistical Bureau of Iceland. The calculation of Analytica's CLI is based on methodology adopted by the OECD.
There are six components of Analytica's CLI. These are: Fish catches, inflation adjusted debit card turnover, number of tourists visiting Iceland, the MSCI World equities index, inflation adjusted imports and the Gallup Index of Consumer Confidence. For April five of the six underlying components are strengthening year on year. However, three of the six components rise on the previous month.
Table 1 shows the development of the CLI during the past twelve months. The April value rises by 0.1 percent on the month to 102.6. This value serves as an indicator to economic activity six months into the future, i.e. October. A value of 100 indicates GDP in line with its long term trend.
| Table 1. Analytica's CLI 2013-2014 | ||||
| Change in % | Indication | |||
| Index | on month | YOY | for month | |
| 2013 | ||||
| April | 101.6 | 0.0% | 0.4% | Oct. |
| May | 101.5 | -0.1% | 0.0% | Nov. |
| June | 101.4 | -0.1% | -0.4% | Dec. |
| July | 101.5 | 0.1% | -0.5% | Jan. 2014 |
| August | 101.7 | 0.2% | -0.4% | Feb. |
| September | 102.0 | 0.3% | 0.1% | March |
| October | 102.1 | 0.2% | 0.6% | April |
| November | 102.1 | 0.0% | 0.9% | May |
| December | 102.1 | -0.1% | 0.9% | June |
| 2014 | ||||
| January | 102.1 | 0.0% | 0.9% | July |
| February | 102.2 | 0.1% | 0.8% | August |
| March | 102.4 | 0.2% | 0.9% | Sept. |
| April | 102.6 | 0.1% | 0.9% | Oct. |
The May Composite Leading Indicator is scheduled for release on June 20, 2014.
Further information is provided by Analytica's CEO, Mr. Yngvi Hardarson
Tel. +354 5278890 - email: yngvi@analytica.is