The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index increased again in November after improving in October. The index rose to a reading of 129.5 (1985=100) from 126.2 in October.

“Consumer confidence increased for a fifth consecutive month and remains at a 17-year high (Nov. 2000, 132.6),” said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board.

“Consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved moderately, while their expectations regarding the short-term outlook improved more so, driven primarily by optimism of further improvements in the labor market,” Franco said. “Consumers are entering the holiday season in very high spirits and foresee the economy expanding at a healthy pace into the early months of 2018.”

Consumers’ outlook for the job market was more upbeat than in October. The proportion expecting more jobs in the months ahead increased to 22.6% in November from 18.7% in October, while those anticipating fewer jobs declined to 11.0% from 11.6%. The number of consumers stating that jobs were “plentiful” rose to 37.1% in November from 36.7% in October while those claiming jobs are “hard to get” edged down to 16.9% from 17.1%.