Leading Indicators Drop 0.4% in February

An index of leading economic indicators fell 0.4% in February, the third drop in five months, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

Economists had forecast a 0.6% decline, following the 0.4% rise originally reported for January, the group said.

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