Leading Economic Indicators Decline for Fifth Month

An index of leading economic indicators fell 0.3% in February, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

The dip followed a 0.4% downturn in January and was the fifth straight downturn, the group said.

The decline matched economists’ forecasts, Bloomberg reported.

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