The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.7 percent in April to 122.3 (2010 = 100), following a 0.4 percent increase in March, and a 0.2 percent decline in February.

“April’s sharp increase in the LEI seems to have helped stabilize its slowing trend, suggesting the paltry economic growth in the first quarter may be temporary,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, economist at The Conference Board. “However, the growth of the LEI does not support a significant strengthening in the economic outlook at this time. The improvement in building permits helped to drive the index up this month, but gains in other components, in particular the financial indicators, have been somewhat more muted.”

The Coincident Economic Index increased 0.2 percent in April to 112 (2010 = 100), following a 0.1 percent decline in March, and a 0.2 percent increase in February.

The Lagging Economic Index increased 0.1 percent in April to 116.6 (2010 = 100), following a 0.5 percent increase in March, and a 0.2 percent increase in February.