Although orders for durable goods fell last month by four percent, the sharpest drop in three years, improved perception of the job market contributed to consumer confidence rising to its highest level in a year, according to what the LATimes is telling MHProNews.com. Economists expected the durable goods orders to drop only one percent following a surge in business spending last year on machinery and equipment. Additionally, the S&P’s/Case-Schiller index of home prices dropped in December in major cities for the fourth straight month, falling four percent, giving economists pause about overall economic recovery.

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