Consumer Confidence Edges Upward In November

NEW YORK (AP) -- Americans' confidence in the economy improved slightly in November, but they remain gloomy amid a weak job market heading into the holiday season.

The Conference Board says its Consumer Confidence Index increased slightly to 49.5, up from a revised reading of 48.7 in October. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected a reading of 47.7.

Economists watch consumer sentiment because spending on goods and services for consumers accounts for about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity by federal measures.