An important gauge of the country’s future economic activity dipped in April, suggesting slower growth in the months ahead.
The Conference Board, a private research group, reported Thursday that its Index of Leading Economic Indicators, fell 0.1 percent to 138.9 last month. Economists were predicting a small rise. In March the index climbed 0.4 percent to 139. The index is closely watched because it predicts economic activity three to six months in the future.
