The consumer confidence index gained to 70.4 in February from an upwardly revised 64.8 last month, the Conference Board reported Tuesday.
Economists predicted the index would be 65.0.
The January index was originally reported as 60.6.
The present situation index jumped to 33.4 from an upwardly revised 31.1, while the expectations index increased to 95.1 from an upwardly revised 87.3.
"The consumer confidence index is now at a three-year high (February 2008, 76.4), due to growing optimism about the short-term future," wrote Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board's consumer research center.
"Consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions has improved moderately, but still remains rather weak. Looking ahead, consumers are more positive about the economy and their income prospects, but feel somewhat mixed about employment conditions."
