U.S. Economy: Leading Indicators, Consumer Confidence Climb

The index of U.S. leading indicators increased for a ninth month in March and Americans’ confidence rose for a fourth week, signaling the expansion may withstand higher fuel costs.

The Conference Board’s gauge of the outlook for the next three to six months rose 0.4 percent after a revised 1 percent gain in February that was larger than previously estimated, the New York-based group said today. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index climbed to minus 42.6 in the period to April 17, the best reading since the end of February.