US consumer confidence at more than four-year high
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Buy SPH photosWASHINGTON (AP) - Americans' confidence in the economy surged last month to the highest level in nearly five years, as many were encouraged by an improving job market.
The Conference Board says its consumer confidence index increased last month to 72.2. That was up from 70.3 in September and the highest reading since February 2008, two months into the Great Recession.
Consumers were more confident after seeing better job growth, the report noted.
Hiring in July and August was stronger than first thought, and employers added a modest 114,000 jobs in September, the government reported last month.
