A closely-watched measure of consumer confidence fell sharply in February after three straight months of improvement, a research group said Tuesday.

Energy prices sank Tuesday after job worries sent a monthly measurement of consumer confidence sharply lower. The Conference Board said its Consumer Confidence Index for February fell much more than expected.

Home prices edged up in December, the seventh straight monthly gain and another sign the housing market continues its bumpy recovery.

The stock market pulled back Tuesday after a surprising drop in consumer confidence reminded investors of the fragility of the economic recovery.

A monthly poll showed consumers’ confidence took a surprisingly sharp fall in February amid rising job worries. The decline ends three straight months of improvement and raises concerns about the economic recovery.

Wall Street paid out $20.3 billion in bonuses in 2009, up 17 percent from a year earlier, New York State’s comptroller said, as the financial industry recovered fitfully from a near meltdown.

A drop in consumer confidence to a 10-month low drove U.S. stocks down on Tuesday as investors reassessed the strength of the economic recovery.

Wall Street paid out $20.3 billion in bonuses in 2009, up 17 percent from a year earlier, New York State’s comptroller said, as the financial industry recovered fitfully from a near meltdown.

Shares of struggling jeweler Zale Corp. soared Tuesday after a report that a private equity firm may seek a stake in the ailing jewelry chain.

Shares of HealthSouth Corp. fell Tuesday as several analysts called the company’s 2010 outlook too conservative, though fourth-quarter results matched expectations.