The Conference Board reported that its Index of Leading Economic Indicators rose 0.4 percent in August to 113.3, in line with analysts' expectations. This is the fourth conseutive month they have been up.

The leading 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.

Four of the 10 components of the leading index rose in August, including improvements in the interest rate spread, vendor performance, real money supply and building permits.

The coincident index, which measures current economic conditions, was flat in August, although three of its four indicators increased. The lagging index was also unchanged.