Measure of future US growth up 0.2 pct in January

WASHINGTON (AP) — A measure of the U.S. economy's future direction edged up in January from December, suggesting slow growth will continue in the coming months.

The Conference Board says its index of leading indicators rose 0.2 percent in January to 94.1, the second straight increase after a gain of 0.5 percent in December. In November, the index was unchanged. The gauge is designed to anticipate economic conditions three to six months out.

Rising stock prices, falling applications for unemployment benefits and a gain in housing permits drove the index higher. A fall in consumer expectations about the economy and declining new orders for factory goods limited the gain.

"The indicators point to an underlying economy that remains relatively sound but sluggish," Ken Goldstein, a Conference Board economist, said. "Credit use has picked up, driven in part by relatively strong demand for auto loans."

Six of the 10 indicators that make up the index were positive in January. The index is derived from data that for the most part have already been reported individually.

Housing is the "biggest positive factor," Goldstein said. Housing permits rose in January to their highest level since mid-2008. And sales of previously occupied homes rose to the second-highest level in three years, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday.

The Labor Department said Thursday that unemployment claims have increased from the five-year lows they reached in January. But they remain consistent with modest improvement in the job market.