U.S. Economy: Confidence Increases More Than Forecast

Confidence among U.S. consumers rose in October from a seven-month low as households turned less pessimistic on the outlook for the economic recovery.

The Conference Board’s sentiment index climbed to 50.2, exceeding the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey, from a revised 48.6 in September, according to figures from the New York-based research group today. Another report showed home- price gains receded in August after a tax credit lapsed.