May 19, 2011 10:00 AM, EDT

Leading Indicators Fall in April

An index of leading economic indicators fell 0.3% in April after nine months of gains, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

The drop follows a revised 0.7% increase in March, the group said.

Economists had forecast a 0.1% gain, Bloomberg reported.

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