Confidence Index Rises to a Four-Month High

Consumer confidence rose this month to the highest level in four months, a University of Michigan survey showed, signaling that Americans have enough faith in the economy to keep spending.

The university’s preliminary sentiment index rose to 87 from 84.2 in November after reaching a nine-year low in October.

Lower costs for gasoline, computers and cars helped push wholesale prices down 0.4% last month, the most in six months, the Labor Department said.