THE MARKETS

The economy continues to grow, but at a slower, steadier pace, according to the Index of Leading Economic Indicators. The index rose 0.2 percent in June. Other signs of growth: factory orders were up for the fourth straight month, reaching 0.8 percent in June . . . Dow Jones industrial average down 3.56 points, closing at 3792.58 . . . N.Y.S.E.'s composite index rose 0.43 to 254.58 . . . NASDAQ stock-market composite index lost 0.55 to 724.25 . . . American Stock Exchange gained 0.85 to 440.59 . . . Gold lost $1.10 to $377.30 on the Commodity Exchange in New York . . . The 30-year Treasury bond closed with a yield of 7.38 percent down from 7.40 late Tuesday.