Economic activity in the 30 leading industrial countries rose in November and a six-month signal improved for the first time since June, a study by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development showed yesterday.

The OECD's composite leading indicator showed that economic activity rose in November to 112.0, an increase of 1.1 points from October, the organisation said.

The indicator increased for the Group of Seven leading industrialised countries, except Britain. It showed economic activity in Ireland growing faster than any other OECD state in November after nine months of a slowdown.