U.S. Stock Market Helped By Consumer Confidence

Spread bets and CFDs on the U.S. stock market should consider that the latest consumer confidence data is providing a great deal of help.

Right now, U.S. stocks are shrugging off mounting concerns about swine flu and focusing instead on positive economic news. The consumer confidence survey is the highest it's been in months, handily beating forecasted numbers.

This is important, since consumer spending accounts for the bulk of U.S. economic growth. If consumers are beginning to feel more confident, that means that they are likely to go out and spend a little more money. Indeed, it seems that lower prices and lending rates are helping consumers feel better about spending a little more money. And this in turn is helping the U.S. stock market.