The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.3 percent in July to 128.3, following a 0.6 percent increase in June, and a 0.3 percent increase in May.

“The U.S. LEI improved in July, suggesting the U.S. economy may experience further improvements in economic activity in the second half of the year,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, director of business cycles and growth research at The Conference Board. “The large negative contribution from housing permits, a reversal from June, was more than offset by gains in the financial indicators, new orders and sentiment.”

The Coincident Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.3 percent in July to 115.7, following a 0.1 percent increase in June, and a 0.3 percent increase in May.   

The Lagging Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.1 percent in July to 124.8, following a 0.2 percent increase in June and a 0.2 percent increase in May.