In this Jan 2, 2014 photo, a pedestrian passes by sale signs on a store front window in Chicago. The Conference Board releases the Consumer Confidence Index for January, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
January 28, 2014 - 7:23 AM
WASHINGTON - U.S. consumer confidence has reached its highest point since August on the strength of a brighter view of the job market and business conditions.
The Conference Board, a business research group, says its consumer confidence index rose to 80.7 this month from a December reading of 77.5. It was the second consecutive strong gain.
Conference Board economist Lynn Franco notes that consumers' assessment of economic conditions continues to improve. She says the rising expectations suggest that the economy is poised to pick up momentum in the months ahead.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014