Consumer confidence rises to 72.2 in October, highest level since February 2008

Consumer confidence rises to 72.2 in October, highest level since February 2008

 Led by brighter views on present employment and business conditions, a gauge of consumer confidence jumped in October to the highest level since February 2008, the Conference Board reported Thursday. The consumer-confidence index increased to 72.2 in October from a downwardly revised 68.4 in September. A prior estimate for September pegged the level at 70.3. "Consumers were considerably more positive in their assessment of current conditions, with improvements in the job market as the major driver," said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at the Conference Board, a New York research group. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected an October level of 73, citing declining unemployment, among other factors. Generally when the economy is growing at a good clip, confidence readings are at least 90