AP NewsWatch

I'm Ben Thomas for the NAP News Minute.

Oil prices fell today, Brent crude settling just under $104 per barrel.

Stocks surged, that at what $1,125 points are about 2.5%, the S&P 2.9%, the NASDAQ 3.8.

Meanwhile, Saga McGonney has a gauge of how people are feeling about the economy.

The conference boards consumer confidence and debts rose by 8 tenths of a point spiking

oil prices and higher costs overall due to tariffs did not affect the top line reading.

But the survey did show pessimism in other areas, including expectations of higher inflation.

At a cabinet meeting last week, President Trump said even he was surprised the war has

not caused even higher oil prices.

It hasn't been nearly as severe as I thought.

I think they have confidence in maybe the American president.

U.S. job openings fell slightly last month to $6.9 million.

Saga McGonney, Washington.

That hadn't been Thomas.