MW: U.S. leading economic index rises 0.2% in August
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Signaling moderate economic growth through the holiday season, the leading economic index for the U.S. rose 0.2% in August to 103.8, the Conference Board said Friday. "The leading indicators point to an economy that is continuing to gain traction, but most likely won't repeat its stellar second quarter performance in the second half," said Ken Goldstein, economist at the Conference Board, a New York-based membership and research group. Among the 10 indicators that make up the Conference Board's gauge, three made positive contributions in August, led by the interest rate spread. The coincident index, which measures current conditions, rose 0.2% in August, while the lagging index advanced by 0.3%. For July, the LEI's growth was revised to 1.1% from a prior estimate of 0.9%.
