The Conference Board's U.S. leading economic index released today rose 0.3% in January from December's reading. It now stands at 107.4 (2004=100).

"The cumulative change in the U.S. [leading economic index] over the past six months has been a strong 9.8 percent, annualized," said Ken Goldstein, economist at The Conference Board. "This signals continued economic recovery at least through the spring."

The index rose 1.2% in December and 1.1% in November.