--US Feb LEI -0.3% at 108.7; Jan revised to +0.5% at 109.0
--Conf Bd says LEI has not declined enough to signal recession
--Conf Bd: LEI suggests slow growth to persist next few months

New York, March 21 (BridgeNews) - A key economic forecasting gauge fell in February, suggesting U.S. economic growth will remain sluggish for the next few months, but has not declined enough to signal recession, the Conference Board said. The Index of Leading Economic Indicators, designed to forecast trends in the economy six to nine months in advance, fell 0.3% in February to 108.7, following a revised +0.5% rise in January.