Consumer Confidence Climbs Higher

Ingram Publishing/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- After four months of declines, consumers showed in July that they are more hopeful about the economy, according to the Conference Board.

The Board's latest reading, released Tuesday, is the highest since April and better than economists had expected. Though still below the level of a healthy economy, the consumer confidence index inched higher in July to 65.9 from 62.7 in June.

A brighter outlook for short-term hiring offset longer-term worries about the economy. Still, consumers are less hopeful about earning potential.  Expectations for income increases dropped to 14.2 percent in July to 15.3 percent in June.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio