Consumer Confidence in U.S. Increases for Third Straight Week

Confidence among U.S. consumers increased for a third straight week as Americans grew more optimistic about the economy, finances and the buying climate.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index advanced to minus 30.9 in the period ended Dec. 8, the best reading since the first week of October, from minus 31.3. The gauge is making progress after sinking to a one-year low in early November in the aftermath if the partial federal shutdown the prior month.