Improving Prospects for Jobs Propel Americans’ Confidence

Americans in March believed more jobs will become available and incomes will rise, giving consumer confidence a bigger-than-projected boost as the first quarter draws to a close.

The Conference Board’s sentiment index climbed to 101.3, the second-highest reading of the current economic expansion, from 98.8 in February, according to data from the New York-based private research group issued Tuesday. Other reports showed home prices are firming and factories are struggling.