
Consumer confidence rose to 125.9 in October, according to the
Conference Board.
The rating is at the highest level since December 2000.
This accounts for Americans' views of current economic conditions
and their expectations for the next six months
Consumers
were even more optimistic in October than economists polled by Reuters
expected.
Consumer confidence rose to 125.9 in October, according to the
Conference Board.
The index "increased to its highest level in almost 17
years," Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference
Board, said in a statement. That was in December 2000, when the index hit
128.6.
The surge in confidence comes at a time when U.S. share prices
have hit record highs. Stocks have been lifted by strong economic growth, a
surge in corporate earnings and increasing expectations of tax reform. On
Tuesday, stocks traded
slightly higher, near all-time highs.