The New York-based Conference Board said Tuesday its Consumer Confidence Index was up to 109.6 in April from 107.5 in March. It is the highest level since May 2002.

"Improving present-day conditions continue to boost consumers' spirits," said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center.

"Recent improvements in the labor market have been a major driver behind the rise in confidence in early 2006. Looking ahead, consumers are not as pessimistic as they were last month." he said.

World crude oil prices retreated Tuesday on the eve of U.S. energy stocks weekly report, as U.S. President George Bush orders temporary stop of strategic oil reserve increase.

At the closing time, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 53.07 to 11,283.35. The Standard& Poor's 500 index was down 6.37to 1,301.74 while the Nasdaq composite index slipped 3.08 to 2,330.30. Enditem