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U.S. consumer confidence improved in December for the first time in three months, according to the Reuters/University of Michigan monthly consumer sentiment index released Wednesday.

Consumer personal spending and personal incomes both rose in November, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

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Navistar International Corp. said its fourth-quarter income jumped to $86 million, or $1.19 a share, compared with a loss of $343 million, or $4.81, a year ago, due to commercial truck and military sales.

Existing homes sales increased in November to the highest level since February 2007, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday.

The Department of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøland Security said it will extend until 2011 the Jan. 1 deadline for implementing toughened drivers’ licenses and identification card security standards mandated by the REAL ID Act of 2005.

The U.S. economy expanded at a lower rate than previously reported in the third quarter, growing at a 2.2% annual rate versus the 2.8% reported last month, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

Attorneys for American Trucking Associations said that on Jan. 11 they will ask a federal judge to forego a trial in their clean trucks lawsuit against the Port of Los Angeles and instead issue a summary judgment in the trade association’s favor.