Leading Economic Indicators Gain in December

January 23, 2006 11:15 AM, EST

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he index of U.S. leading economic indicators rose for a third straight month in December, but the 0.1% rise pointed to potentially slower growth, Bloomberg reported.

The 0.1% gain followed a revised 0.9% gain November, the New York-based Conference Board reported Monday.

November’s increase had originally been reported as a 0.5% increase.

he LEI index, which measures the likely performance of the U.S. economy over the next three to six months, is closely watched by trucking companies because it forecasts business activity for the next three to six months.

Six of 10 segments that make up the LEI rose, the Conference Board said. Better consumer expectations contributed the most to the increase.