LEI Index Rises in September

An index of leading economic indicators rose in September from an increase the previous month, the New York-based Conference Board said Nov. 6.

The index climbed 0.7% after a revised 0.7% rise in August. Economists had forecast a 0.6% gain, Bloomberg News reported.

“Some of the numbers have been a little softer, reflecting the federal government shutdown,” Kenneth Kim, an economist with Stone & McCarthy Research Associated, told Bloomberg. “Once the psychological effects dissipate, that should result in better momentum for the economy going into 2014.”

The LEI is closely watched by trucking companies because it forecasts business activity for the next three to six months.