U.S. Consumer Comfort Reaches Highest Level in More Than 19 Years

Shoppers walk through a mall in Short Hills, New Jersey.Photographer: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg
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U.S. consumer confidence advanced last week to the highest level in more than 19 years on increased optimism about the economy, personal finances and the buying climate.

Bloomberg’s index of consumer comfort rose to 66 in the week ended Jan. 12, the best reading since October 2000, from 65.1, according to a report Thursday. The gain was the eighth in the last nine weeks. A measure of Americans’ views of the economy climbed to the highest since early 2001.