Leading Indicators Rise 0.3% in December

An index of leading economic indicators rose 0.3% in December, marking the first gain in six months, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

Economists had forecast a 0.2% decline, following the 0.4% drop originally reported for November, the group said.

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