Apr. 29--Consumers across the country have a hopeful view of the national economy -- the same view Southeast Texas consumers expressed about the local economy Tuesday.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose more than 12 points in April to 39.2, up from 26.9 in March, a survey released Tuesday showed. The New York-based index produced by the private research group still is well below year-ago levels of 62.8.

The percentage of consumers optimistic about the job market helped push the index higher in April, according to the Conference Board.

Beaumont resident Michael Zenon is among those who are hopeful the job market will improve.

Zenon, 51, said he lost his job at Ace ImageWear three weeks ago, but has an interview lined up this week.

"In a few months, I think the job market will pick up," he said, while browsing through job openings at Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas on Pearl Street downtown. "At least I hope so."

The Consumer Confidence Index showed that in April the percentage of consumers expecting more jobs increased to 13.9 percent from 7.3 percent.

Beaumont resident and former hairstylist Tiffany Thomas said she has been looking for a job for about a month now, and that she's noticed an increase in the number of jobs available in the area.

Thomas, 34, said she notices frequent increases in the number of food service jobs available, which she said gives her hope that jobs in other sectors will open in the near future.

Lynn Franco, The Conference Board's Consumer Research Center director, said the increase in the index shows that consumers "believe the economy is nearing a bottom" and that conditions might "moderately improve" in the second quarter.

Charles Hawkins, a Lamar University economics professor, said he has not heard much negative talk about the Southeast Texas economy, which could mean that consumer confidence locally is high.

Rising consumer confidence is good for the overall economy, he said, because it might trigger consumers' willingness and ability to spend money.

"People will start feeling better and be more optimistic," he said. "They feel freer to spend and we begin a cycle of economic growth."

Michael Mathews, who owns The Tattered Suitcase and the Antique Mall of Beaumont, said he noticed an uptick in consumer spending just this week when sales started to pick up at his stores.

On Monday and Tuesday, he said, business volume was about 2 1/2 times higher than it is on an average day.

Mathews said the Antique Mall had record sales in December and January, but sales slowed after that.

"We're in an unusual niche," he said. "When times get bad, we usually do OK because people aren't buying new stuff."

Jake Tortorice, owner of Rao's Bakery and Coffee Cafe, said daily sales at his two Beaumont locations are not as strong as they have been in the past, but people still are buying cakes and other sweets for parties.

Tortorice said Easter sales were strong and that he's expecting to fill plenty of cake orders in May for Mother's Day and graduation parties.

"Our sales weren't down; they were OK for April," he said. "I think we're going to fare OK."