US consumer sentiment rose more strongly than expected in early November as high fuel prices started to fall, a report showed today.
The University of Michigan's index of consumer sentiment jumped to 79.9 in early November from 74.2 in October, according to sources who saw the subscription-only report.
Confidence measures are used as an indicator of consumer spending, which makes up about two-thirds of overall US economic activity and is used as a gauge of economic growth.