US consumer confidence rose in December to a near eight-year high, a sign that falling gasoline prices and expectations of a better job market could give a boost to the economy.
The Thomson Reuters/ University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index rocketed up to 93.8 this month, according to a preliminary reading released on Friday. That was above analysts' expectations and pairs with strong retail sales data for November in suggesting American consumers entered the holiday shopping season on better footing.
