Leading Economic Indicators Decline 0.2%

An index of leading economic indicators fell 0.2% last month, the New York-based Conference Board said Friday.

The dip was the third straight downturn, the group said.

The decline was greater than economists’ forecasts of a 0.1% dropoff, Bloomberg reported.

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