A leading barometer of US consumer confidence rebounded in May as Americans were more optimistic about the long-term jobs outlook.
The Conference Board said today its broad index of consumer attitudes jumped to 115.5 in May, up from an upwardly revised 109.9 in April and compared with a 4-1/2 year low of 109.2 hit in February.
"Latest findings report rising confidence about job prospects over the next six months, but reveal growing concern about the current job market," said Ms Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board.
"Nowhere, however, are there indications that consumers will curtail their spending, which points to continued economic growth," she said.
The Conference Board's Present Situation Index, a gauge of consumer views of the economy right now, rose to 158.6 from 156.0 in April. The Expectations Index, which measures the outlook for the next six months, bounced to 86.8 in May from 79.1 in April.