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November 21, 2005 11:00 AM, EST

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he index of U.S. leading economic indicators rose 0.9% in October following three months of declines, the Conference Board reported Monday.

The gain was greater than a 0.8% increase forecast by economists, Bloomberg reported.

The LEI index, which measures the likely performance of the U.S. economy over the next three to six months, is closely watched by trucking companies because it forecasts business activity for the next three to six months.

Seven of 10 segments that make up the LEI rose, the Conference Board said. Jobless claims and the average length of the manufacturing work week added the most to the index’s gain.