Confident consumers brighten U.S. economic outlook

If consumer spending at the end of 2013 is a reliable indication, 2014 could be a strong year, economically speaking.
 
Consumer spending in November rose to a five-month high, its strongest pace since June. Early reports on December spending also are encouraging, according to Reuters.
 
Consumer spending rose 0.5 percent last month, the seventh consecutive month of increases, the article reports. The stronger than expected rise is attributed to a rising stock market and house prices.

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