The Conference Board said the U.S. leading index increased 0.1 percent, the coincident index increased 0.2 percent, and the lagging index increased 0.1 percent in December.
The leading index increased slightly in December, following large gains in October and November.
The six month growth rate of the leading index picked up to a 2.1 percent annual rate in December from a low of 0.6 percent in May. In addition, the strength among the leading indicators has been widespread since August. In 2005, the average six-month growth rate of the leading index was about a 1.9 percent annual rate, down from an average of about 6.2 percent in 2004.
The leading index now stands at 138.5 (1996=100). Based on revised data, this index increased 0.9 percent in November and increased 1 percent in October. During the six-month span through December, the leading index increased 1 percent, with seven out of 10 components advancing.