The Conference Board’s Leading Economic index for the US edged up in September, suggesting the economy will continue expanding at a moderate pace through the start of the next year. The index rose 0.2% in September to a reading of 124.4 (2010 = 100). following a 0.2% decline in August and a 0.5% increase in July.

“The US LEI increased in September, reversing its August decline, which together with the pickup in the six-month growth rate suggests that the economy should continue expanding at a moderate pace through early 2017,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, director of business cycles and growth research at The Conference Board. “Housing permits, unemployment insurance claims, and the interest rate spread were the main components lifting the index in September. Overall, the strengths among the leading indicators are outweighing modest weaknesses in stock prices and the average workweek.”