U.S. consumer confidence rose in October after three consecutive months of declines, as a spike in concerns about inflation was outweighed by upbeat sentiment in financial and jobs prospects. The Conference Board said in an Oct. 26 report that its headline consumer confidence index rose to a reading of 113.8 in October, up from 109.8 in the prior month. “Consumer confidence improved in October, reversing a three-month downward trend as concerns about the spread of the Delta variant eased,” Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board, said in a statement. Concerns about inflation surged to a 13-year high, Franco said, but noted that the impact of rising prices on overall confidence remained muted. “The proportion of consumers planning to purchase homes, automobiles, and major appliances all increased in October—a sign that consumer spending will continue to support economic growth through the final months of 2021,” she said. …