The increase, the third consecutive monthly advance, reflected booming demand for electronic products.

The Government said today that construction spending had made its biggest monthly advance of the year in August.

In addition, on Friday the Government's index of leading economic indicators is expected to show its third straight monthly advance.

It was the second consecutive monthly advance; in June the increase was 4.4 percent.

The July gain in industrial production was the biggest monthly advance since March.

That was the fifth consecutive monthly advance and the best showing since March.

It was the second monthly advance, and analysts said it could mean the end of the recession is near.

It was the fourth consecutive monthly advance in the index.

Sales of new homes picked up by 1 percent in March, the second consecutive monthly advance, the Government said.

Consumers increased their spending by 0.6 percent in March, for the second monthly advance, the Government reported.