The March coincident index of economic indicators, which gauges the current state of the economy, measured above 50 percent -- an indication of economic expansion -- for the ninth straight month, the Economic Planning Agency said Tuesday.

Preliminary data showed the coincident index registered 87.5 percent for March, after 100 percent in February.

In March, the index of leading indicators, as well as that of lagging indicators, posted readings above 50 percent, resulting in all three EPA-published monthly indexes staying above the boom-or-bust line for the first time since November 1996.