Leading Economic Indicators Rise 0.1% in January

February 21, 2007 1:00 PM, EST

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An index of leading economic indicators rose for a second straight month in January, climbing 0.1%, the New York-based Conference Board reported Wednesday.The rise in the LEI index fell short of economists’ forecasts, which called for a 0.2% rise, Bloomberg reported.Money supply, consumer expectations and low jobless claims boosted the reading, Bloomberg reported.The LEI is closely watched by trucking companies because it forecasts business activity for the next three to six months.