Leading Economic Indicators down less than expected
The New York-based Conference Board reported its Index of Leading Economic Indicators fell 0.4 percent to 111.7, after falling a revised 0.2 percent in June. Analysts had expected a July decline of 0.5 percent.
The index measures where the overall U.S. economy is headed in the next three to six months. It stood at 100 in 1996, its base year. July's decline was the third time in the last four months that the indicators index failed to increase.