The index of Taiwan's leading economic indicators rose in September from a month earlier as economic fundamentals improved, but sentiment remained cautious, official data showed yesterday.
The September index of leading indicators for the next three to six months stood at 103.8, up from August's revised 102.7, the Council for Economic Planning and Development said.
All seven leading indcators were higher in September than they were a month earlier -- manufacturing orders, exports, average monthly manufacturing working hours, stock prices, home start applications, narrow money supply and wholesale prices, the council said.
The council said the September composite indicator stood at 30 points, up from August's 24 points.
The September composite index came in at a "green light" level, which showed economic growth was stable. The composite index blinked green for the sixth straight month, the council said.
War worries
Hu Chung-ying (
He added that the issue of easing the ban on direct commercial flights and shipping lanes between Taiwan and China is also creating uncertainty in the domestic economy.
In September, 14 percent of manufacturers expected the economy to improve over the next three months, down from a revised 21 percent a month earlier, while 16 percent held a negative view, down from a revised 20 percent, the council said.
The percentage of those with a positive view of the country's economy was lower than those with a negative view for fourth month in a row, it said.
Seventy percent of manufacturers expected the economy to maintain its current direction, up from a revised 59 percent in August, the council said.
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