The Conference Board’s U.S. leading economic index rose 0.4 percent in January to a level of 94.9 (2004 = 100). The index rose 0.5 percent in December and 0.3 percent in November.

“This fourth consecutive gain in the [leading economic index] reflected fairly widespread strength among its components, pointing to somewhat more positive economic conditions in early 2012,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, economist at The Conference Board. The index’s “increase in January was led not only by improving financial and credit indicators, but also rising average workweek in manufacturing. These both offset consumers’ outlook about the economy, which remained pessimistic, though slightly less so.”

“Recent data reflect an economy that started the year on a positive note,” said Ken Goldstein, also an economist at The Conference Board. The index “suggests these conditions will continue and could possibly even pick up this spring and summer.”