After falling 0.1 per cent in May, June's increase of 0.1 per cent to 166.3
is the first increase since December 2000, after a gain originally posted in February was revised to a loss.
"The increase originated in continued strength in housing together with an upturn in the U.S. leading index, whereas the stock market slumped and manufacturing remained weak. Overall, three components fell, two fewer than in May," said the government agency.
The housing index increased to 107.3 from 106.4 in May, posting its third straight increase. Spending on furniture, appliances and other durable goods remained strong, but the manufacturing index slid due to an increase in inventories. Demand for services was unchanged in June.
The economic indicator is a measure of where the economy is heading and consists of 10 items that rise or fall in advance of the economy as a whole.
