ECONOMIC INDICATORS INDEX DIPS 2 MONTHS IN ROW.(BUSINESS)

Byline: SALLY JACOBSEN Associated Press

NEW YORK -- A key gauge of future economic activity slipped in June for the second straight month in another sign the economy is no longer sizzling hot. And the Dow Jones industrial average plunged 300 points Tuesday in its third-biggest point drop ever, extending a 2-week slide that has shaken confidence in the stock market's ability to keep rising.

The Conference Board reported Tuesday that the lengthy General Motors strikes dragged down its Index of Leading Economic Indicators, but said it was too early to warn of a recession in the months ahead.

``It doesn't mean bad times for the U.S. economy, but we've …