Consumer confidence rises 0.5 percent

(Aug. 27, 2013) -- "Consumers were moderately more upbeat about business, job and earning prospects. In fact, income expectations, which had declined sharply earlier this year with the payroll tax hike, have rebounded to their highest level in two and a half years," said Franco. "Consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions, on the other hand, was somewhat less favorable than last month.”