Leading indicator

[Becky]

something that shows what a situation will be like in the future rather than showing what it is like now or has been like in previous weeks, months, etc.:

[Julene]

a measure that is used to predict future financial and economic activity, because it changes before the economy of a country has changed:

[Monty]

one of 11 indicators for different sections of the economy; used by the Department of Commerce to predict economic trends in the near future

[Gembakrofe]

An phenomenon that generally occurs in advance of an important phenomenon, aiding in its prediction.

[Urooj.Zafar]

A leading indicator is a measurable or observable variable that changes or moves ahead of changes in economic trends or market events. It is often used in forecasting to predict future outcomes. Examples include stock market performance, unemployment claims, building permits, or consumer confidence indices. In essence, a leading indicator is a predictive sign that a certain event or trend is likely to occur in the future.