Economic indicators up more than expected in April

NEW YORK (AP) — A private research’s group forecast of economic activity rose more than expected in April, the first gain in seven months and fresh evidence that the recession could end later this year.

The Conference Board said today its index of leading economic indicators, designed to forecast economic activity in the next three to six months, rose 1 percent last month. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected a 0.8 percent increase.

Conference Board economist Ken Goldstein said that means declines in activity could switch to growth in the overall economy in the second half of the year. The recession began in December 2007.