The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. declined 0.3 percent in December to 111.2 (2016 = 100), following a 0.1 percent increase in November, and a 0.2 percent decline in October.

"The US LEI declined slightly in December, driven by large negative contributions from rising unemployment insurance claims and a drop in housing permits," said Ataman Ozyildirim, Senior Director of Economic Research at The Conference Board. "The LEI has now declined in four out of the last five months. Its six-month growth rate turned slightly more negative in the final quarter of 2019, with the manufacturing indicators pointing to continued weakness in the sector. However, financial conditions and consumers' outlook for the economy remain positive, which should support growth of about 2 percent through early 2020."

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for the U.S. increased 0.1 percent in December to 107.2 (2016 = 100), following a 0.3 percent increase in November, and a 0.1 percent decline in October.

The Conference Board Lagging Economic Index® (LAG) for the U.S. declined 0.1 percent in December to 108.8 (2016 = 100), following a 0.4 percent increase in November, and a 0.2 percent increase in October.