Leading Economic Indicators Show More Growth

Washington, DC, Feb. 17, 2012 -- The economy is likely to continue expanding into at least the middle of the year, the Conference Board said Friday.

The Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators grew 0.4% in January, led by the interest-rate spread and manufacturing hours.

"This fourth consecutive gain in the LEI reflected fairly widespread strength among its components, pointing to somewhat more positive economic conditions in early 2012," said Ataman Ozyildirim, a Conference Board economist.

Economists had expected a January gain of 0.5%. The reading for December was revised to 0.5% from a prior estimate of 0.4%.