The consumer confidence index increased to 114.8 in February from a revised 111.6 last month, The Conference Board reported Tuesday.
The January index was originally reported as 111.8.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters predicted a 111.0 reading for the index.
The present situation index rose to 133.4 from a revised 130.0, first reported as 129.7, while the expectations index climbed to 102.4 from a revised 99.3, first reported as 99.8.
"Consumer confidence increased in February and remains at a 15-year high (July 2001, 116.3)," said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators for The Conference Board. "Consumers rated current business and labor market conditions more favorably this month than in January. Expectations improved regarding the short-term outlook for business, and to a lesser degree jobs and income prospects. Overall, consumers expect the economy to continue expanding in the months ahead."
Business conditions were called "good" by 28.7% of respondents in February, down from 29.0% of respondents in January. Those saying conditions are "bad" fell to 13.2% from 15.9%.
The percentage of consumers expecting a pickup in business conditions in the next half year rose to 24.0% from 22.9%, while 11.1% said they expect conditions to worsen, up from 10.8% in the prior month.
On the jobs front, those who believe jobs are "plentiful" slid to 26.2% in February from 27.1% in January, while the number saying jobs are "hard to get" fell to 20.3% from 21.1%. The respondents who see fewer jobs becoming available in a half year, dipped to 13.6% from 14.4%. Those expecting more jobs to become available gained to 20.4% from 19.7%, The Conference Board reported.
The consumer confidence survey is based on a probability design random sample by the Nielsen Company.
