The Conference Board's consumer confidence index rose to a reading of 57.9 in April -- its highest in about a year and a half -- from 52.3 in March (1985=100).

Consumers saying jobs are "hard to get" fell to 45.0% in April from 46.3% in March, according to the survey for the consumer confidence index. Those saying jobs are "plentiful" rose to 4.8% in April from 4.0% in March.

The number of consumers expecting more jobs in the months ahead rose to 18.9% in April from 14.1% in March.