The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.2 percent in February to 121.4 (2010 = 100), following a 0.2 percent increase in January, and a 0.4 percent increase in December.

“Widespread gains among the leading indicators continue to point to short-term growth,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, economist at The Conference Board. “However, easing in the LEI’s six-month change suggests that we may be entering a period of more moderate expansion. With the February increase, the LEI remains in growth territory, but weakness in the industrial sector and business investment is holding economic growth back, despite improvements in labor markets and consumer confidence.”

The Coincident Economic Index increased 0.2 percent in February to 111.9 (2010 = 100), following a 0.2 percent increase in January and a 0.3 percent increase in December.

The Lagging Economic Index increased 0.3 percent in February to 115.8 (2010 = 100), following a 0.3 percent increase in January and a 0.2 percent increase in December.