A gauge of future U.S. economic activity is moving up, but at a slower pace than in recent months.

Thursday, experts at the Conference Board said their index of leading economic indicators rose two-tenths of a percent in September.

That is significantly less than the readings for August and July. The index is intended to predict economic growth over the next three to six months.

A separate study shows the number of Americans signing up for unemployment compensation dropped a bit last week.

The Labor Department says first-time jobless claims fell by 6,000 to a nationwide total of 403,000. That continues a gradual improvement in the labor market that has seen claims fall by 25,000 since September.

The generally upbeat reports contrast with news from the housing sector where sales of previously-occupied homes dropped 3 percent in September. If homes sold at that rate for a full year, just 4.9 million would change hands, which is far below the level seen in a healthy U.S. real estate market.

Severe problems in the housing market played a key role in sparking the financial crisis that began in 2008.