Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index: Americans are "more upbeat about the U.S. economy than at any time in the past six years."

Consumer sentiment improved last week as Americans were more upbeat about the U.S. economy than at any time in the past six years. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index rose to 37.6 in the week ended July 6, the third-strongest reading since the start of 2008, from 36.4 in the prior period. The gauge measuring views of the economy, which has surged 7.1 points since a mid-May low, reached the highest point since January 2008.

All three components of the weekly comfort measure increased last week. The gauge of the state of the economy rose to 27.7 from 27.3 the prior week. The measure for personal finances advanced to a nine-week high of 52.8 from 50.9 the week before, while buying climate index rose to 32.4 from 31.

American workers are among those becoming more confident. The comfort index for part-time employees rose by 2.4 points to 41.1 last week, the highest since January 2008. Sentiment among full-time workers advanced to 42.5 from 42.1 in the prior week, while that of the unemployed also improved.

Confidence picked up among all groups earning at least $40,000 a year, while sentiment of those making less decreased. All age groups were more upbeat last week, with those 65 and older reaching their best sentiment level since mid-September. Confidence among men increased to a nine-week high.

Comfort picked up in all regions except the South, with Midwesterners reaching the highest level since August.