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U.S. consumer confidence has improved to the highest level since September, according to the Reuters/University of Michigan monthly consumer sentiment index released Friday.

The U.S. economy contracted at an annual rate of 5.7% in the first quarter, a slight improvement from the 6.1% downturn reported last month, the Commerce Department said Friday.

Truck and engine manufacturer Navistar Inc. has challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to certify heavy-duty diesel engines using selective catalytic reduction to meet the agency’s 2010 standards for emissions of nitrogen oxides.

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago declined in April, showing contraction for a seventh straight month, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago said Friday.

New home sales increased 0.3% in April, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Intelligrated Inc. said Thursday it will acquire the U.S. operations FKI Logistex Holdings for $40 million in a cash deal with Melrose PLC, a British turnaround specialized, the Associated Press reported.

Durable goods orders rose 1.9% April, the largest gain in more than a year, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Transportation has yet to make a decision on whether to back increased federal truck weight limits, Secretary Ray LaHood said.

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch (D) said he would veto the state’s budget if it includes a 15-cent fuel tax passed by the House and under consideration in the Senate, the Associated Press reported.