Leading Index May Show U.S. Economic Growth Will Cool

The index of U.S. leading indicators probably climbed in July for the second time in four months, extending a see-saw pattern that indicates slower growth through the end of the year, economists said before a report today.

The Conference Board’s gauge of the outlook for the next three to six months rose 0.1 percent after falling 0.2 percent in June, according to the median forecast of 58 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. A report today showed more Americans unexpectedly filed claims for jobless benefits last week, while figures from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia later this day may show manufacturing in the region expanded.