U.S. economic indicators rise 0.1 percent

NEW YORK, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- The index of leading U.S. economic indicators rose 0.1 percent, less than many economists expected, an industry-backed trade group said Wednesday.

January's rise was less than December's revised 0.6 percent reading, the Conference Board said. It was also less than the 0.2-percent increase many economists expected.

From July to January the index rose 0.7 percent, a 1.5 percent annual rate.

Largely responsible for January's rise were increases in the real money supply and consumer expectations, which offset the housing market slump and sluggish auto manufacturing, the board said.