OECD: Indicators point to economic slowdown

   The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said Monday that composite leading indicators (CLIs) for August, designed to anticipate turning points in economic activity relative to trends, continue to point to a slowdown in economic activity in most OECD countries and major non-member economies.
   The CLI for the OECD area fell half a point in August, the fifth consecutive monthly decline.
   The Paris-based organization said the indicators for the United States, Germany and Russia point more strongly to a slowdown than in last month’s assessment, but are still above 100, indicating economic activity remains above its long-term trend.
   For all other major economies, except Japan, the CLIs are now below 100, pointing strongly to a slowdown in economic activity below the long-term trend.
   The organization saidits Asian Business Cycle Indicators also show signs of moderation in ASEAN economies.”Global uncertainty casts a shadow over Asian economies with deterioration in business and consumer sentiments and a negative reaction in financial markets,” the OECD said.
   Recent trade data also shows “some slackening” in several Southeast Asian countries, though the impact of global uncertainty remains limited at this time, the OECD said.
   More information is available on the OECD Web site.