News In Brief

Christmas-shopping plans point to cheer for economy

The consumer confidence index rose to 96.1 in November, from 91.5 in October, and Christmas shoppers are likely to spend enough to keep the economy from sliding into a recession, the Conference Board said Monday. But the buying-plans index, which measures plans to purchase cars, houses, and major appliances, fell slightly to 97.7 in November, from 98.5 in October.

The index uses the 1969-70 consumer confidence level as a base of 100.