U.S. Consumer Comfort Highest Since 2001 on Optimism for Economy
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U.S. consumer confidence, along with a measure of Americans’ views of the economy, advanced last week to the highest levels in nearly 17 years, the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed Thursday.
Robust employment, rising property values, elevated stock prices and lower taxes are combining to fuel a rise in consumer sentiment about the economy, most notably among the wealthiest Americans and Republicans. More upbeat economic views, along with steady sentiment about personal finances and the buying climate, may continue to underpin consumer spending. Federal Reserve officials, who on Wednesday left their benchmark interest rate unchanged, said household outlays “have been solid.”