The index of U.S. leading indicators rose above expectations in January, posting a 0.4% month-over-month gain, according to the Conference Board. The consensus had forecast a flat reading.
December's decrease was unrevised at -0.3%.
Over the past six months, the leading index has fallen 3.7%.
The leading index saw positive contributions from consumer goods orders, and orders of non-defence capital goods.
The average work week fell 0.06% from the prior month.
The coincident index, which measures what is currently happening in the economy, fell 0.5% in January after posting a 0.5% loss in the prior month. Over the past six months, the coincident index has fallen 5.4%.
The lagging index, which looks backwards at where the economy has been, fell 0.1% in January following the prior month's 0.2% decline.
By Stephen Huebl and edited by Sarah Sussman
©CEP News Ltd. 2009