Consumer confidence falls in February

[NEW YORK] Consumer confidence in the US fell more than forecast in February as Americans grew more pessimistic about the outlook for the economy and employment.

The Conference Board's index decreased to 78.1 from a revised 79.4 in January that was weaker than initially estimated, the New York-based private research group reported yesterday.

The share of Americans who said business conditions would improve in the next six months declined to a four-month low. Bigger gains in payrolls and wages would help the economy recover from colder temperatures and snowstorms that weighed on growth at the start of the year.