coincident indicator: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “coincident indicator” mean?
A data point or statistic that changes at approximately the same time as the overall economy or phenomenon it's measuring, reflecting its current state.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A data point or statistic that changes at approximately the same time as the overall economy or phenomenon it's measuring, reflecting its current state.
An economic metric used in business cycle analysis to assess the present condition of the economy. In a broader sense, it can refer to any measurable variable that moves in sync with the thing it indicates, serving as a real-time signal or confirmation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or definitional differences. Both use the term identically within economic discourse.
Connotations
Purely technical term with no regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to specialist economic and business analysis contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “coincident indicator” in a Sentence
[coincident indicator] of [economic activity/state][GDP/employment] serves as a [coincident indicator]to use/track/monitor [coincident indicators]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coincident indicator” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This metric coincidentally indicates the downturn.
- The figures do not usefully coincide with output.
American English
- The data coincidentally indicates a shift.
- These series fail to coincide with GDP movements.
adverb
British English
- The indices moved coincidently last quarter.
- Industrial output and energy use fell coincidently.
American English
- Employment and output grew coincidently.
- The two metrics declined coincidently in Q3.
adjective
British English
- The coincident data series were published today.
- We observed a coincident rise in both measures.
American English
- The coincident economic data was released.
- A coincident drop was recorded across the board.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in market analysis and corporate strategy meetings to understand the current economic environment.
Academic
A key term in macroeconomics, econometrics, and business cycle theory papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
The primary domain of use, especially in economic reports, financial news analysis, and policy discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coincident indicator”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coincident indicator”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coincident indicator”
- Using it to mean a 'predictive' indicator. Confusing it with 'coincidental' (meaning accidental). Misspelling as 'coincidence indicator'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Its main purpose is to provide confirmation and a contemporaneous measure of the current state of the economy or a specific cycle, not to forecast the future.
GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is a classic example of a coincident indicator, as it measures the total economic output during a specific period, reflecting the economy's state at that time.
Not directly. Its value is in confirmation and real-time analysis. However, if a coincident indicator shows a sharp turn, analysts might infer that a trend change is currently underway.
The other two are 'leading indicators' (which change before the economy changes, used for prediction) and 'lagging indicators' (which change after the economy has changed, used for confirmation of long-term trends).
A data point or statistic that changes at approximately the same time as the overall economy or phenomenon it's measuring, reflecting its current state.
Coincident indicator is usually technical/formal in register.
Coincident indicator: in British English it is pronounced /kəʊˈɪnsɪd(ə)nt ˈɪndɪkeɪtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /koʊˈɪnsɪdənt ˈɪndɪkeɪtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A canary in the coal mine (related, but more predictive)”
- “Taking the temperature (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a clock's hands moving exactly together—they are COINCIDENT. A coincident indicator moves exactly with the economy's current time.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE ECONOMY IS A PATIENT / A coincident indicator is a real-time diagnostic reading (like a heart monitor) showing the patient's current vital signs.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is typically considered a coincident indicator?