US consumer sentiment soared in April to its highest point since the failure of Lehman Brothers in September that sent the global banking system into turmoil.
The Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers said its final index of confidence climbed to 65.1 in April from 57.3 in March.
That represented the highest since September 2008 and the biggest one-month increase since October 2006. It was also the first annual upturn since July 2007.
The index of current economic conditions rose to 68.3 last month from 63.3 in March, marking a four-month high. The index of consumer expectations climbed to 63.1 from 53.5, the highest point since last September.
The survey found that 65% of consumers thought the US President Barack Obama's stimulus plan would improve the US economy.
Despite the overall improvement in mood, however, consumers remained anxious about jobs.
53% of consumers questioned in April expected the jobless rate to increase, a slight improvement over 61% who felt that way the previous month.
