NEW YORK — The much-anticipated iPad tablet computer from Apple Inc. will start hitting U.S. store shelves on April 3, slightly later than originally planned.

When Apple unveiled the touch-screen device Jan. 27, the company said the first iPads would reach the market in "late March" worldwide, not just in the U.S. Now international releases are planned for later in April.

The company did not specify yesterday why the tablet is not coming out until April, and an Apple spokeswoman would not elaborate. U.S. customers will be able to begin placing orders for both models from Apple's Web site beginning on March 12.

SHOPPERS BORROW MORE IN JANUARY

WASHINGTON — Consumer borrowing broke a record stretch of declines with a small increase in January as a boost in auto loans offset continued weakness in credit card borrowing.

The small gain, the first in nearly a year, could be a signal that Americans are regaining confidence in the economy.

The Federal Reserve reported yesterday that consumer borrowing rose by $4.96 billion in January, surprising economists who were looking for borrowing to decline by $4.5 billion. It was the first gain after a record 11 straight declines and it was the largest increase since July 2008.

OIL SETTLES ABOVE $81 ON JOBS REPORT

The government jobs report for February that came out yesterday raised hopes that the economy may slowly be healing. It also raised oil and wholesale gasoline prices closer to their highs for the year.

Prices also got a lift from China Premier Wen Jiabao, who said his nation is on track for 8 percent growth this year. China is the world's second-biggest consumer of oil after the U.S.

Benchmark crude for April delivery rose $1.29 to settle at $81.50 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The 2010 high for oil was $83.95 on Jan. 11, about the same time retail gasoline prices reached a high for the year of $2.7583 per gallon.