Leading Indicators Fall for Fourth Consecutive Month

The index of leading economic indicators January fell for the fourth consecutive month, driven down by deterioration in the stock and housing markets, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

The 0.1% downturn followed a revised 0.1% dip in December, the group said in its monthly report.

The decline was in line with economists’ forecasts, Bloomberg News reported.

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