Optimism about the direction of the U.S. economy improved to a three-month high in November as sentiment remained supported by a robust job market and steady growth, Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index figures showed Nov. 16

America’s service industries expanded in October at the fastest rate since August 2005, indicating the biggest part of the economy is gathering strength, a survey from the Institute for Supply Management showed Nov. 3

U.S. consumer comfort advanced to a seven-week high as Americans’ confidence in their personal finances increased by the most since February, Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index figures showed Nov. 2.

Manufacturing remained solid in October even as expansion at U.S. factories cooled from a 13-year high a month earlier, figures from the Institute for Supply Management showed Nov. 1.

Home-price gains in 20 U.S. cities accelerated in August amid tight inventories and steady economic growth, figures from S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller showed Oct. 31.

Consumer sentiment climbed in October to the highest level since the start of 2004 as households grew upbeat about the outlook for the U.S. economy, a University of Michigan survey showed Oct. 27.

Americans’ confidence held steady last week, remaining near the highest level of the expansion, as faith in the buying climate improved while views on the economy deteriorated, Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index figures showed Oct. 26.

The U.S. merchandise-trade deficit widened to a four-month high as imports rose for the first time since April, according to preliminary figures released Oct. 26 by the Commerce Department. The report also showed inventories increased at wholesalers and fell at retailers.

Americans grew more pessimistic this month about the direction of the economy, though a measure of consumer sentiment rose in the most recent week, Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index figures showed Oct. 19.

A rebound in homebuilders’ confidence to a five-month high indicates concern over fallout from major hurricanes has been alleviated, according to data Oct. 17 from the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo.