WHITE HOUSE WELCOMES RISE IN INDICATORS The White House welcomed last month's 0.7 pct increase in the Index of Leading Economic Indicators, the government's key barometer of future economic growth. The increase reversed a decline in January of 0.5 pct. Presidential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said the new figures signalling more economic growth in coming months showed that the index was "back on track" after its downturn at the first of the year.