Business Highlights

Consumer confidence extends rise in December

NEW YORK (AP) — A more upbeat outlook on jobs pushed Americans' confidence in the economy higher in December for the second month in a row, a survey released Tuesday said.

Consumers' expectations for the job market over the next six months reached their highest level in two years, but Americans remain gloomy about their current prospects.

The Conference Board said its Consumer Confidence Index rose to 52.9, up from a revised 50.6 in November, but the reading is still far short of the 90 that would signify a solid economy. In October, consumer confidence was 48.7. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters predicted a reading of 52 for December.

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Home prices rise again in October

NEW YORK (AP) — Home prices rose for the fifth month in a row in October, but the recovery is shaky with only 11 of the 20 metro areas tracked showing gains.

The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index released Tuesday edged up 0.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted reading of 145.36 in October from September. Without adjusting for seasonal factors the index was flat.