A new consumer survey shows more people are feeling upbeat about the economy and their bank balances.
The UMR Research consumer comfort index for June, questioned 1100 people about their views of the economy, their own personal finances, and their ability to buy.
It found pessimists slightly outnumbered optimists, with a net one percent feeling downbeat about their economic and financial wellbeing.
That's an improvement on February, when a net 18% of respondents felt gloomy.
UMR research director Gavin White says the change is being driven by a marked improvement in people's perceptions about the gradually improving economy.
The survey has a margin of error of 2.95%. Respondents were polled between 16 - 22 June.
