consumer confidence jumped to highest level in three years

[impik]

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- An index of U.S. consumer confidence jumped to 70.4 in February, reaching the highest level in three years, with more optimism about the future, while views on current conditions remain weak, the Conference Board reported Tuesday. "Looking ahead, consumers are more positive about the economy and their income prospects, but feel somewhat mixed about employment conditions," Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board's consumer research center, in a statement. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a confidence reading of 66.

http://www.marketwatch.com/

[xchrom]

1. Consumer Stress Continues to Rise While DC Goes into “Mission Enough Accomplished” Mode

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2011/02/consumer-stress-continues-to-rise-while-dc-goes-into-mission-enough-accomplished-mode.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NakedCapitalism+%28naked+capitalism%29

'Contrast this with the latest report from the not-for-profit credit counseling agency CreditAbility. Its latest report (hat tip Doug Smith) shows that, contrary to media cheerleading, consumer conditions deteriorated in the fourth quarter of 2010. That means not only did conditions worsen during all of last year, but the standing of household budgets is at its worst level since the first quarter of 2010.'

[LiberalEsto]

2. The rich are stocking up on champagne

to celebrate the rescinding of rights for working people. That's the only reason I can think of.