California’s economy will continue to expand, generating slow but steady job growth over the next six months, according to an employment index released Thursday.

The California Index of Leading Employment Indicators from Chapman University in Orange rose 0.8 percent during the first quarter to 123.1, marking the 14th consecutive quarter of growth with readings above 100. The increase is expected to generate job growth for the first half of 2007 at or near the 1.1 percent reported in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Chapman’s index of leading employment indicators consists of a weighted average of real gross domestic product growth, exports, the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index and statewide construction spending.

The first quarter rise was given a boost from a 13.6 percent year-over-year jump in the S & P; 500 index. Real export growth grew at a 9.2 percent year-over-year rate.