Consumer confidence rises to 57.9 in April

[Seneca]

Consumer confidence rises to 57.9 in April

NEW YORK – Americans' confidence in the economy rose in April to its highest level since September 2008, just as the financial crisis escalated, according to a private research group.

The upbeat reading, combined with bullish earnings reports this week from companies ranging from Whirlpool Corp. to UPS Inc., offers more hope the economic rebound is gathering steam. Meanwhile, a key home price index reported its first annual increase in more than three years, though it's too early to say the housing market is recovering.

Fresh worries, however, came from Europe. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 161.27 points, or 1.4 percent, to 11,043.76 after Standard & Poor's slashed Portugal's and Greece's debt ratings.

The Conference Board, a private research group based in New York, said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence index increased to 57.9, up from a revised 52.3 in March. The April reading is the highest since September 2008's 61.4. That was when the financial crisis intensified with the collapse of Lehman Brothers, sending confidence into freefall the following month. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters were expecting a reading of 53.5.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100427/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/us_economy


Whether or not you are encouraged by the above story, this is not the time for complacency. PLEASE register to vote, and if you are, make sure to actually vote - whether in person, by absentee ballot, or whatever method is at your disposal. Help others register to vote and get to the polls. The media has a vested interest in playing up a "GOP takeover" in the '10 midterms, and they won't let the Teabaggers die out quietly.

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE. Thank you. :-)