The consumer confidence index increased to 101.1 in August from a revised 96.7 last month, The Conference Board reported Tuesday.
The July index was originally reported as 97.3.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters predicted a 97.0 reading for the index.
The present situation index grew to 123.0 from a revised 118.8, first reported as 118.3, while the expectations index gained to 86.4 from a revised 82.0, first reported as 83.3.
"Consumer confidence improved in August to its highest level in nearly a year, after a marginal decline in July," said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators for The Conference Board. "Consumers' assessment of both current business and labor market conditions was considerably more favorable than last month. Short-term expectations regarding business and employment conditions, as well as personal income prospects, also improved, suggesting the possibility of a moderate pick-up in growth in the coming months."
Business conditions were called "good" by 30.0% of respondents in August, up from 27.3% of respondents in July. Those saying conditions are "bad" dipped to 18.4% from 18.5%.
The percentage of consumers expecting a pickup in business conditions in the next half year grew to 17.3% from 15.7%, while 11.1% said they expect conditions to worsen, off from 12.4% in the prior month.
On the jobs front, those who believe jobs are "plentiful" rose to 26.0% in August from 23.0% in July, while the number saying jobs are "hard to get" climbed to 23.4% from 22.1%. The respondents who see fewer jobs becoming available in a half year, crept to 17.5% from 17.4%. Those expecting more jobs to become available increased to 14.2% from 13.5%, The Conference Board reported.
The consumer confidence survey is based on a probability design random sample by the Nielsen Company.
