Washington - A key gauge of US economic health rose for the fifth straight month in August, according to a private research group Monday, as the country continues to look for signs that its deepest recession in decades is over.

The New York-based Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators rose 0.6 per cent on the month, following a revised 0.9- per-cent rise in July and 0.8-per-cent increase in June.

"This suggests that the recession is bottoming out. These numbers are consistent with the view that after a very severe downturn, a recovery is very near. But, the intensity and pattern of that recovery is more uncertain," Conference Board economist Ken Goldstein said.

The index evaluates the economy's expected performance over the next three to six months. (dpa)