INDEX OF LEADING INDICATORS

Strong gains in the construction industry contributed to September's rise in Utah's Index of Leading Economic Indicators, the fourth consecutive monthly gain, First Security Bank said. The index, compiled by First Security, increased 0.1 percent, standing at 153.4, following a 1.6 percent gain in August. Nationally, the index for September increased 0.2 percent after a 0.5 percent jump the month before. Over a 12-month period, Utah's September index was up 2.6 percent over the same month last year, marking the third consecutive annual increase, the bank said. Components of the index include new automobile sales and loans, consumer loan delinquency rate, unemployment claims, non-agricultural job placements, manufacturing workweek hours, value of non-residential construction permits, new dwelling unit permits and the number of new Utah corporations.