New York, Feb 19--A key economic forecasting gauge advanced a strong 0.5 percent in January, suggesting that the economy will expand further in coming months.
The business-funded Conference Board said its Composite Index of Leading Economic Indicators rose to 115.0 last month following gains of 0.2 percent in December and 0.3 percent in November. Analysts had expected a rise of about 0.3 percent for January.
Ken Goldstein, the business group's economist, noted that the index has been gaining since last spring. The rise points to "sustained economic growth, perhaps through the first half of this year," he said
