WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. consumer confidence eased in October as households worried about the availability of jobs over the next six months and persistently higher prices because of tariffs on imports.

The Conference Board said on Tuesday its consumer confidence index fell to 94.6 this month from an upwardly revised 95.6 in September. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the index slipping to 93.2 from the previously reported 94.2 in September.

"Consumers were a bit more pessimistic about future job availability and future business conditions while optimism about future income retreated slightly," said Stephanie Guichard, senior economist, global indicators at the Conference Board.