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Mon 08 Aug 2001US economic indicators hint at recoveryA key gauge of future US economic activity crept higher for the fourth straight month in July, suggesting that some improvement may lie ahead for the economy.Analysts expected a 0.1 per cent increase. "The signal from the ... index, in terms of its depth and breadth, is that economic conditions, sluggish through the entire first half of the year, could begin to make way for a better economy this fall," said Conference Board economist Mr Kenneth Goldstein.