Leading indicators unchanged, indicating economy continues to slow

NEW YORK - A key measure of U.S. economic activity remained flat in September, the latest sign that economic growth is continuing to cool down.

The Index of Leading Economic Indicators was unchanged in September at 105.7, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday. Wall Street analysts had predicted the index, which declined in the four previous months, would remain unchanged.

The index, which attempts to forecast economic trends for the next three to six months, stood at 100 in 1996, its base year. Except for a 0.1 percent increase in March, the index has been flat or declining throughout this year.

''The indicators continue to point toward a cooling in U.S. economic growth. Interest rates and growth restraints will determine how much slower the economy will be this winter,'' said Ken Goldstein, economist for the Conference Board.

The board's Index of Coincident Indicators, which gauges current economic activity, rose 0.4 percent in September to 116.4 after going up 0.2 percent in August.

The Index of Lagging Indicators, which reflects changes that have already occurred, increased by 0.1 percent to 105.7 after rising 0.2 percent in August.

The three indexes are used together as a barometer of overall economic trends.

The markets were mixed in trading Thursday, with the Dow Jones industrial average down 19 points to 10,880 and the Nasdaq composite index up 95 points to 3,429.

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