Consumers Regain Confidence as U.S. Hiring Improves: Economy

American consumers are starting to regain confidence as an improving job market eases the strain caused by a higher payroll tax.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index climbed to minus 36.3 in the week ended Feb. 3, marking the first gain since the two percentage-point increase in the levy that funds Social Security took effect at the start of the year. Another report showed fewer workers filed claims for jobless benefits last week.