An index that seeks to predict economic activity in the Denver region rebounded at the end of last year after declining for two straight months.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce/Rocky Mountain News leading index, an indicator of conditions six to nine months down the road, rose to 101 in December from 100.9 in November.

First-time unemployment claims, consumer expectations and first-quarter hiring outlook moved in a positive direction in December, according to the report by Patty Silverstein of Development Research Partners.

Meanwhile, the historic part of the index dipped to 130 in December from 130.7 in November as employment increased but sales tax receipts fell. The index was up slightly for the year.

The index was set at 100 in the benchmark year of 1995.