U.S. Economy: Consumer Confidence Stagnates at Two-Year Low

Confidence among U.S. consumers stagnated in September near a two-year low as the share of households saying it was difficult to find a job climbed to the highest level in almost three decades.

The Conference Board’s sentiment index increased to 45.4 from a revised 45.2 reading in August that was the lowest since April 2009, when the economy was in a recession, figures from the New York-based private research group showed today. A report on home prices showed values dropped less than forecast in the year ended July.