Economic Indicators Rise, First Time in Six Months

Washington, DC, April 17, 2008--The index of leading U.S. economic indicators rose in March for the first time in six months.

The Conference Board's gauge increased 0.1 percent after falling 0.3 percent in February, the New York- based private research group said today. The measure points to the direction of the economy over the next three to six months.

The improvement is a tentative signal that the economy may not weaken further in the second half of the year.

Economists forecast the leading index would rise 0.1 percent.

The increase in last month's index brings the decline for the last six months to a 3.3 percent annual pace. A drop of 4.5 percent or more over six months usually correlates with a recession, according to economists at the Conference Board.

``While latest data do not support the assertion that we are in a recession, growth remains weak, a situation that may continue,'' Ken Goldstein, a Conference Board economist, said in a press release

Five of the 10 indicators in today's report contributed to the gain in the index, led by a jump in the money supply. Slower supplier deliveries, which indicate an increase in orders, and a steeper yield curve were also positive.