The forward-looking index of leading US economic indicators rose 0.1% in June, following two straight declines, the Conference Board said this afternoon.
But the increase was slightly weaker than analysts' expectations of a 0.2% gain, and the business research group said the signs still pointed to a moderation in economic growth.
The leading index, used to indicate US economic trends six months in advance, declined 0.6% in May after a 0.1% drop in April.
'The US economy is cooling at mid-year,' Conference Board economist Ken Goldstein said in a statement. 'This basic trend has been intensified by higher energy prices and a cooling-off in the housing market.'
