Financial market, economic indicators that only change following economic change to a new trend or pattern. Usually six months precedes a shift in these indicators, trailing behind the overall economic cycle versus moving with it (contrast coincident indicators ) versus moving ahead of it (contrast leading indicators ). The unemployment rate , outstanding consumer and business loans, business spending and profits, business inventories book value, unit labor costs, and consumer price index (CPI) are all major lagging indicators .
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
