Consumer Spending in U.S. Rose by Most in Five Months

"Some companies are already hiring as a result of rising sales. Caterpillar Inc., the world’s largest maker of construction equipment, had its first earnings increase in seven quarters as demand rose, and said it will bring back at least 9,000 jobs this year of the 19,000 it cut globally in 2009. The Peoria, Illinois-based company has added about 1,500 workers since year-end because of higher production, including 600 in the U.S."