国际英语新闻：U.S. Leading Economic Index sees sixth consecutive monthly increase

NEW YORK, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United States' Leading Economic Index increased 1.0 percent in September, extending the rising streak to six months and signaling a possible economic expansion into early 2010.

    Conference Board, a New York-based private research group, said the increase marks the biggest six-month gain in 26 years, topping analysts' expectations.

    "Except for average workweek and building permits, all the leading indicators contributed positively to the index this month," says Ataman Ozyildrim, Economist at the Conference Board. "At the same time, the contraction in the coincident economic index has halted in recent months, but the continued downtrend in the employment is keeping this index of current economic conditions from rising faster."

    The Conference Board revised August figures down to a 0.4-percent increase from a 0.6-percent previously reported gain. The index rose 1.0 percent in July.

    The gauge of the economic outlook for the next three to six months has risen for six consecutive months and the coincident economic index has increased in two of the last three months.

    "These numbers strongly suggest that a recovery is developing," says Ken Goldstein, Economist at the Conference Board. "However, the intensity of that recovery will depend on how much, and how soon, demand picks up."

    The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index for the United States was unchanged in September, following a 0.1-percent increase in both August and July. The Conference Board Lagging Economic Index declined 0.3 percent in September, following a 0.2-percent decline in August, and a 0.6-percent decline in July.