US consumer confidence is expected to rise to a five month high on Tuesday, amid signs that the world's largest economy continues to gain strength towards the end of 2011. Optimism is expected to have grown as house prices stabilise and employment strengthens, with economists predicting a reading of 58.6, up from 56.0 in November, ahead of a report from the New York-based Conference Board. Economists also expect US house prices to have declined at their slowest pace in almost a year. The S&P/Case-Shiller report released on Tuesday is expected to show that house prices fell 3.2pc in October compared with the same ... (full story)