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U.S. manufacturing increased slightly last month, while construction spending rose 0.6% to an annual rate of $851.56 billion. Meanwhile, October consumer confidence climbed to its highest reading since early 2008.

Consumer spending in the U.S. climbed more than forecast in September, a sign the biggest part of the economy was picking up as the quarter drew to a close. Household purchases, which account for about 70 percent of gross domestic product, rose 0.8 percent, the most since February, after advancing 0.5 percent in August, a Commerce Department report showed today in Washington. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of 71 economists called for a 0.6 percent gain. Incomes climbed 0.4 percent, the most since March.