Economic Confidence Jumps In October

Gallup's October Economic Confidence Index jumped to a monthly reading of minus 12 in October -- the most positive score since the minus 12 of July 2013. However it was lower than the record high of minus 7 in May 2013. The three-point increase from September is the largest monthly improvement seen this year so far.

In October, 22 percent said the economy is "excellent" or "good," while 32 percent said it is poor. This resulted in a current conditions dimension score of minus 10, the highest current conditions score since February 2008. Meanwhile, 41 percent of Americans said the economy is getting better, while 54 percent said it is getting worse. This resulted in an economic outlook score of minus 13 -- the best outlook score since January.

The confidence of both upper-income Americans (plus 2) and middle- and lower-income Americans (minus 14) reached levels in October that have not been seen since July 2013. Upper-income Americans had a particularly large climb in confidence, gaining eight index points from the previous month and reaching positive territory.