The consumer confidence index surged to 64.5 in December from a downwardly revised 55.2 last month, the Conference Board reported Tuesday.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters predicted the index would be 58.3.
The November index was originally reported as 56.0.
The present situation index grew to 46.7 from an unrevised 38.3, while the expectations index surged to 76.4 from a downwardly revised 66.4, originally reported as 67.8.
“After two months of considerable gains, the consumer confidence index is now back to levels seen last spring (April 2011, 66.0),” said Lynn Franco, director of the board’s Consumer Research Center. “Looking ahead, consumers are more optimistic that business conditions, employment prospects, and their financial situations will continue to get better. While consumers are ending the year in a somewhat more upbeat mood, it is too soon to tell if this is a rebound from earlier declines or a sustainable shift in attitudes.”
