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The white line denotes GDP growth. Which of the following lines is the best leading economic indicator?

a) Purple line
b) Red line
c) Green line
d) White line itself

User EsseTi
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1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

Without additional information on the green and purple lines, we cannot determine which line is the best leading economic indicator. The white line indicates GDP growth, which generally is not a leading indicator.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine which line is the best leading economic indicator, we must understand what they represent in relation to GDP growth. A leading economic indicator is a predictive measure that tends to change before the economy starts to follow a particular pattern or trend, thereby providing early signals of potential economic cycles.

The red line measures U.S. GDP in nominal dollars, which does not account for inflation, so this is not typically a leading indicator. The green and purple lines are not described in the information provided, making it difficult to ascertain their roles as indicators. However, these would typically be separate indicators like stock market performance, manufacturing orders, or unemployment claims that can forecast economic trends. Conversely, the white line, representing GDP growth, could conceivably be a leading indicator if it presents growth rates that precede broader economic changes. However, GDP growth itself is often a coincident indicator, moving at the same time as the general economy.

The provided information does not clarify what the green, purple, and white lines specifically denote other than GDP growth for the white line, which usually counts as a coincident indicator rather than a leading one. To accurately identify the best leading economic indicator, we would need more details regarding what these lines represent. Therefore, based on the information provided, we cannot definitively determine which line is the best leading indicator without additional context.

User Ngo Hung
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