From Holden:

The index of leading economic indicators fell for the second straight month for the first time since the Bush Recession of 2001.

The index of leading U.S. economic indicators fell in August for a second straight month as rising gasoline prices sapped consumer confidence even before Hurricane Katrina made landfall.

The index slid 0.2 percent following a revised 0.1 percent decline in July, the New York-based Conference Board said today. A drop in consumer confidence and building permits were among the biggest contributors to the decline in August. The back-to- back declines were the first since 2001.