Leading Economic Indicators Improve

An index of leading economic indicators rose in March for the sixth straight month, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

The index rose 0.3% after a 0.7% gain in February that was the largest in 11 months.

Economists had forecast a 0.2% increase, Bloomberg reported.

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