Economic growth seen slowing this summer

A gauge of future economic activity rose 0.1 percent in February, suggesting slow economic growth this summer, a private research group said Thursday.

The gain in the Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators was the smallest increase in 11 months. It matched expectations of economists polled by Thomson Reuters. In January, the index increased 0.3 percent.

The leading indicators index forecasts economic activity in the next three to six months based on a variety of economic data.

Only four of the index's 10 indicators increased in February.

Harsh winter weather, which cut down on the hours factory employees worked, and turbulent stock markets weighed on the index last month.