India, Feb. 19 -- Reflecting growing consumer confidence and falling interest rates, the National Association of Home Builders released a report on Tuesday showing a significant increase in U.S. homebuilder confidence in the month of February.

The report said the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index climbed to 62 in February after rising to 58 in January. Economists had expected the index to inch up to 59.

With the increase, the index continued to recover after hitting a more than three-year low of 56 in December.

"Ongoing reduction in mortgage rates in recent weeks coupled with continued strength in the job market are helping to fuel builder sentiment," said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel.

He added, "In the aftermath of the fall slowdown, m...