Directions: For each example listed below, decide if it is a leading or lagging economic indicator. Provide reasons for your answer.

1. Sales for a major automobile company are slow.
2. Total employment rate increased this month.
3. Consumer prices of luxury items skyrocket.
4. More people are saving money in banks this year.
5. Average price of gas and electricity increases.
6. Company investment in capital resources dramatically increases.
7. A larger proportion of homeowners have been late on their mortgages.
8. Banks make it more difficult to borrow money.
9. Restaurant sales increased this month.
10. The number of applications for new housing permits declined in the last three months.