May 19, 2006	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 20, 1427

WASHINGTON, May 18: The forward-looking index of leading economic indicators fell 0.1 per cent in April, another sign of a cooling trend in the US economy, the Conference Board said Thursday. The report came as a surprise to analysts, who expected a 0.1 per cent rise in the index. The business research group meanwhile revised up its index from March to a 0.4pc rise compared with an increase of 0.1pc.

The economy is cooling off from the torrid pace of the first quarter. —AFP