U.S. Consumers Show Little Evidence of Pain From Rout in Stocks

U.S. consumers are showing little sign so far that this month’s stock-market plunge is denting their optimism or spending.

The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index rose in October to an 18-year high of 137.9, according to a report Tuesday. Sentiment increased among respondents with incomes of $50,000 and above, and the share expecting stock prices to increase in 12 months advanced to 44.5 percent, the highest since January, the Conference Board said. The survey cutoff was Oct. 18, about a week after stocks fell by the most since February.