Americans Feeling More Optimistic

Americans showed a surprisingly high increase in confidence in the economy compared with a month ago, a widely watched survey reported Tuesday.

But the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index also showed that many Americans are worried about what’s ahead.

The business research group’s index, a barometer of consumer spending and borrowing patterns, rose to 101 in March from a revised 99.4 reading in February.

In the latest survey, more than 25 percent of consumers surveyed said current business conditions were good. But expectations for the next six months fell in March to its lowest level in a year.