The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.5 percent in December to 124.6 (2010 = 100), following a 0.1 percent increase in November, and a 0.2 percent increase in October.

"The U.S. Leading Economic Index increased in December, suggesting the economy will continue growing at a moderate pace, perhaps even accelerating slightly in the early months of this year," said Ataman Ozyildirim, Director of Business Cycles and Growth Research at The Conference Board. "December's large gain was mainly driven by improving sentiment about the outlook and suggests the business cycle still showed strong momentum in the final months of 2016."

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.3 percent in December to 114.3 (2010=100), following no change in November, and a 0.2 percent increase in October.

The Conference Board Lagging Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.3 percent in December to 123.4 (2010 = 100), following a 0.4 percent increase in November, and a 0.2 percent increase in October.