The composite index of leading economic indicators fell 0.3% in February, the Conference Board reported Thursday.
LEI decreased a revised 0.4% in January, originally reported as a 0.1% drop. The index has fallen five months in a row.
The coincident index was flat after a revised unchanged reading in January, originally reported as a 0.1% rise, while the lagging index was up 0.2% after a revised 0.1% gain in January, originally reported as a flat reading.
The LEI stands at 135.0, the coincident index is 124.9, and the lagging index is at 131.2.
Economists polled by IFR Markets predicted the LEI would be down 0.3% in the month.
“The economy may be grinding to a halt,” according to Conference Board labor economist Ken Goldstein. “The leading index has declined five months in a row, and the coincident index stopped increasing in October. Growth will be weak this spring. A small contraction in economic activity cannot be ruled out. The economic signals are flashing yellow.”
