Consumer Comfort Index Jumps

Tuesday's startling rise in consumer confidence is now being confirmed by solid strength in the consumer comfort index which jumped 1.1 points to 43.0 in the September 27 week following a 1.7 point spike in the prior week. Volatility in the stock market and uncertainty over the global economy are apparently not holding down the U.S. consumer, which points to strength in household spending and perhaps the need for the Fed to announce liftoff sooner than later.