The Conference Board released its leading economic index (LEI) for the U.S. on Thursday. The leading economic index rose 0.1% in February, missing expectations for a 0.2% increase, after a 0.2% decline in January.

The coincident economic index climbed 0.1% in February, after a 0.3% gain in January.

"The U.S. LEI increased slightly in February, after back-to-back monthly declines, but housing permits, stock prices, consumer expectations, and new orders remain sources of weakness. Although the LEI's six-month growth rate has moderated considerably in recent months, the outlook remains positive with little chance of a downturn in the near-term," director of business cycles and growth research at The Conference Board, Ataman Ozyildirim, said.