Today, The Conference Board reported its US Leading Economic Index rose 0.3% in March to a reaching of 109.0 (2016 = 100). The gain was smaller than February’s increase of 0.7% and January’s increase of 0.8%.

“The US [Leading Economic Index] increased in March, and while the monthly gain is slower than in previous months, its six-month growth rate increased further and points to continued solid growth in the US economy for the rest of the year,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, director of Business Cycles and Growth Research at The Conference Board. “The strengths among the components of the leading index have been very widespread over the last six months. However, labor market components made negative contributions in March and bear watching in the near future.”

Separately, the US Department of Labor announced the seasonally adjusted four-week moving average of unemployment claims rose by 1,250 last week to a level of 231,250.

Total initial claims for the week fell by 1,000 to a total of 232,000.

Claims-taking procedures in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Island have still not returned to normal.