US leading indicators up for seventh month in row
Posted: 20 November 2009 0036 hrs

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WASHINGTON - The forward-looking US index of leading economic indicators rose nearly as expected in October, the Conference Board said Thursday, in a sign that economic recovery from recession is on track.

The index edged up 0.3 percent, following a 1.0 percent gain in September and 0.4 percent rise in August, the business research firm said.

Most economists had expected a 0.4 percent rise in the index, which is based on data such as manufacturing hours worked, stock prices and consumer expectations.

"The data indicate that economic recovery is finally setting in," said Ken Goldstein, a Conference Board economist.

"We can expect slow growth through the first half of 2010. The pace of growth, however, will depend critically on how much demand picks up, and how soon," he said.

Factors such as interest rates, initial unemployment insurance claims and stock prices contributed positively to the index, more than offsetting declines in such areas as consumer expectations and home construction, the firm said.

Six of the 10 indicators that make up leading economic indicators increased in October.

The index of coincident indicators, a gauge of current economic activity, was unchanged in October after falling 0.1 percent the prior month and rising by the same margin in August.

- AFP /ls