Consumer Confidence Index climbs in January

CHICAGO (AP) — Consumer confidence rose past expectations in January, the third straight monthly increase as Americans begin to feel slightly better about business conditions and the job picture, according to a survey released Tuesday.

The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index increased to 55.9 - the highest in more than a year but still relatively gloomy. That compares with 53.6 in December.

January's index was better than the expected 53.5 forecast by economists.

Economists watch confidence numbers closely because consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity. It takes a reading of 90 to indicate an economy on solid footing and 100 or more to indicate growth.

The new figures still don't point to an end to the nation's economic woes any time soon.

"Consumers' short-term outlook, while moderately more positive, does not suggest any significant pickup in activity in the coming months," Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board's Consumer Research Center, said in a statement.

Tuesday's figures are based on a survey of 5,000 households by the private research group.