SAN DIEGO ---- A measure of economic activity in San Diego County rose minutely for a fourth straight month, a possible signal that the recession's end is in sight.

The University of San Diego's Index of Leading Economic Indicators edged up 0.1 percent from June to July. It has risen every month since a low in March, and yet it hasn't regained even half of what it lost in that single month.

A strong rebound in consumer confidence offset two measures of the job market's deepening weakness.

The index is an artificial number comprising local data on building permits; new claims for unemployment insurance; stock prices; consumer confidence; and help-wanted advertising. A sixth component is designed to measure the national economy's effect on San Diego County.

Link to USD's graph here