Consumer Comfort Is Near 2014 Peak as U.S. Job Market Improves

Consumer sentiment held last week near the highest level of the year as Americans grew more upbeat about their personal finances and the economy.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index was 37.6 in the week ended July 20, up from 37.5 in the prior period. The measure reached a 2014 high of 37.9 in April. A gauge of personal finances climbed to 52.9, the highest in 11 weeks. Views on the economy improved slightly while a measure of the buying climate fell.