Consumer confidence rose, a report said.

Consumers have grown more confident that the nation’s economy is headed for better times, according to a poll released by the Conference Board, a business research organization. The board said its consumer confidence index stood at 92.9 in September, based on a scale of 1985 equaling 100. It said the number of consumers planning to buy cars or homes increased, while interest in buying major appliances declined. The September index was two points higher than the August figure and represented the survey’s first upward movement since May, when it started slipping back from April’s 99.0 reading.