Last updated November 19, 2009: 12:30 PM ET --- The major U.S. equity indices are trading lower Thursday due to more discouraging signs over economic recovery. The Conference Board said its index of leading economic indicators rose 0.3% last month, weaker than the 0.5% gain that economists had expected. The index climbed 1% in September. The Mortgage Bankers Association said more than 14% of American homeowners with a mortgage were either behind on their payments or in foreclosure at the end of September. The Labor Department said the number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits was unchanged last week at 505,000, which was inline with economists expectations. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is trading 1.27% lower at 10,293.67, the S&P500 is down 1.59% at 1,092.15, and the Nasdaq Composite is down 1.89% at 2,151.66.

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