US DATA: The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index improved 6.1 points,
or 13.3%, in January posting 51.9 vs. 45.8 in December. The index is
5.2 points above its 12-month average of 46.7 and 7.5 points above its
reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the
recession, and 1.2 points below its all-time average of 50.7. The
Six-Month Economic Outlook gained 6.1 points, or 12.5%, to 54.8. The
Personal Financial Outlook improved 4.8 points, or 9.2%, to reach 56.8.
Confidence in Federal Economic Policies gained 7.2 points, or 19.6%, to
reach 44.0.