The composite index of Leading Economic Indicators was up 0.1% in December following a revised 1.0% increase in November, first reported as a 0.8% surge, the Conference Board reported Thursday.
The coincident index gained 0.2% in December after an unrevised 0.4% rise in November, while the lagging index rose 0.3% after a unrevised flat reading in December.
The LEI stands at 99.4, the coincident index is at 108.1 and the lagging index is at 121.2 The LEI has a baseline of 100, which reflects the level in 2004.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters predicted LEI would grow 0.2% in the month.
"This latest report suggests steady growth this spring, but some uncertainties remain," said the Conference Board economist Ken Goldstein. "Business caution and concern about unresolved federal budget battles persist, but the better-than-expected holiday season might point to sustained stronger demand and could put the U.S on a faster growth track for 2014."
"Despite month-to-month volatility in the final quarter of 2013, the U.S. LEI continues to point to gradually strengthening economic conditions through early 2014," said Ataman Ozyildirim, an economist at The Conference Board. "The LEI was lifted by its financial components in December, but consumer expectations for business conditions and residential construction continue to pose risks."
