Consumer confidence rose dramatically in February
CNN is reporting a record high in optimism as the national mood improves. The number of Americans who say things are going well in the country has reached 50% for the first time in more than six years, according to their new national survey.
This comes of the back of recent highs in all the stock market indices, with the Dow closing in on 15,000 points. In addition, there has been a gradual falling of the unemployment rate and the numbers of people newly signing up for unemployment benefits.
However, the results are tempered by the fact that the same CNN/ORC International poll released Friday shows that an equal 50% say the country is in bad shape.
“The number continues an upward pattern since the summer of last year, when only 35% were optimistic about the country’s conditions,” said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.
The CNN Report states that while there are still problems with the long-term unemployed;
Nevertheless, Americans haven’t been this optimistic since January 2007, when 57% felt the country was in good shape. That quickly fell to 48% by April of that same year. For more of the next four years, the figure hovered in the 20’s and 30’s, and stayed mostly in the 30’s and 40’s last year.
The poll was conducted between April and 7, 2013.