Leading economic indicators up 0.2% in January

The Bank said recent increases in the index indicate continued recovery in economic activity
 
According to Bank of Israel figures released last Thursday, Israel's economic performance index, or "S" index, rose 0.2% in January, its 11th increase in a row.
 
In a statement accompanying the figures, the Bank said that the rise was derived from industrial output and trade in goods and services, offset by drastic reductions in exports and imports. The Bank said recent increases in the index indicate continued recovery in economic activity. (% change from prior month)
 
                                       Jan 2010     Dec 2009     Jan 2009
S index                               + 0.2         + 0.3              - 0.3
Exports of services index   + 8.2            0.0                n/a
Exports of goods index         0.0         + 7.4                n/a
Consumer goods imports   + 0.2         + 2.9                n/a
Imports of mfg inputs         + 5.8         + 1.5                n/a