The US economy will likely continue to expand in the near term, The Conference Board forecasts in its US Leading Economic Index, released today. The index in February increased for the first time in five months.

February’s index reading rose 0.2% to 111.5 (2016 = 100). That follows no change in January, and a 0.1% decline in December.  

“February’s improvement was driven by accommodative financial conditions and a rebound in stock prices, which more than offset weaknesses in the labor market components,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, director of economic research at The Conference Board. Despite the latest results, the US [Leading Economic Index’s] growth rate has slowed over the past six months, suggesting that while the economy will continue to expand in the near-term, its pace of growth could decelerate by year end.”