MarketWatch (08/05/13) Quentin Fottrell

While negative sentiments about the U.S. economy linger, Americans’ attitudes toward the economy have improved since last year. According to the “Citi Economic Pulse” quarterly survey from Citigroup global bank, Americans’ views of current and future economic conditions are the most positive they have been since 2009, particularly among those earning between $50,000 and $150,000. The confidence of those earning between $50,000 and $75,000 climbed 8 points, while that of those earning between $75,000 and $150,000 jumped 10 points. Confidence among those earning more than $150,000 or less than $50,000 remained the same.

The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index rose in July, but the Conference Board’s index of consumer confidence dropped slightly during the same period. Unemployment remained at 7.6% in June, but home values rose in June compared with June 2012.