Home-builder confidence rose in August to the highest level in nearly eight years, on gains in both current sales conditions and prospective ones, according to a report released Thursday. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo housing market index rose 3 points to 59, marking the fourth rise in a row. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a 55 reading. July's level was downwardly revised by a point to 56. Any reading above 50 is considered "good." The component measuring current sales conditions rose 3 points to 62, the component measuring sales expectations in the next six months rose a ... (full story)