Consumer confidence rises

An improving job market drove U.S. consumer confidence higher this month after a dip in February, a promising sign for the economy as it heads into spring.

The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index rose to 101.3 in March from a revised 98.8 reading in February.

Confidence has risen to the highest levels since before the Great Recession started in December 2007. A year ago, the index stood at 83.9.