US home prices rose in October with 0.4%

US house prices raised in October for the fifth month in a row, according to a leading index, Informs BBC News.

Prices were 0.4% higher than they were in September on a seasonally-adjusted basis, the Standard & Poor`s/Case-Shiller Home Price index said.

And confidence among US consumers has shown a larger-than-expected rise.

Improved optimism over the jobs market saw consumer confidence hit a three-month high in December, according the Confidence Board.