Leading economic indicators up in April,1st rise since June
A private research’s group forecast of economic activity rose more than expected in April, the first gain since June 2008, suggesting a pickup in growth awaits the economy in the second half of 2009.
A second report said the number of workers filing new claims for jobless aid fell 12,000 last week, while so-called continued claims rose to another record as the recession battered employment.
The Conference Board said Thursday its index of leading economic indicators, designed to forecast economic activity in the next three to six months, rose 1% last month. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected a 0.8% increase.
Conference Board economist Ken Goldstein said that means declines in activity could switch to growth in the overall economy in the second half of the year.
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