The Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators for the U.S. fell one-tenth of a percentage point in April, suggesting, said the New York-based businsss research group, that the U.S. economy will grow "moderately" during the next several months.
The leading index now stands at 138.9 (1996=100).
A lower level of building permits was the biggest drag on the index last month.
Manufacturers' new orders for nondefense capital goods also pulled the index down -- as did manufacturers' new orders for consumer goods and materials.
