The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.K. decreased 0.4 percent in both October and September, after decreasing 0.5 percent in August. Three of the seven components made positive contributions to the index in October. The index stands at 103.1 (2004=100).

Said Jean-Claude Manini, The Conference Board Senior Economist for Europe: "The LEI for the United Kingdom fell for a third consecutive month in October. The slight improvement in stock prices did not offset the further and broad based deterioration of confidence measures. Coupled with the persistent weakness in the LEI, current economic conditions suggest that the British economy is at risk of following the Euro Area toward a contraction of economic activity in the short term."

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index for the U.K., a measure of current economic activity, increased 0.1 percent in October, after remaining unchanged in September and decreasing 0.1 percent in August. The index stands at 102.4 (2004 = 100).