US consumer confidence rose in Januar to its highest level since last July as consumers registered optimism about the short-term outlook for the economy.
However, their view of the economy's longer-term prospects was less rosy.
The Conference Board said its gauge of consumer confidence rose to 103.4 in January, from 102.7 in December, surpassing economists' forecast for a January reading of 101.0.
The group's Present Situation Index edged up to 110.9 from 105.7, its highest level since May 2002. But the Expectations Index slipped to 98.4 from 100.7.
In a sign that they felt a little more hopeful about the job growth picture, consumers saying that jobs are "plentiful" increased to 20.7 per cent in January from 19.4 per cent in December, while those saying that jobs were "hard to get" fell to 24.7 per cent from 26.4 per cent.
"Business conditions looked a little bit better and employment conditions looked slightly better, but not a lot," said Mr Gary Thayer, chief economist at AG Edwards and Sons.