Leading Economic Indicators Grow 0.4%

An index of leading economic indicators rose 0.4% in March, the ninth straight monthly increase, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

The gain followed March’s 0.8% gain, and was higher than economists’ forecasts of a 0.3% rise, Bloomberg reported.

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