Feb 28, 2013 / by admin / In Business / Leave a comment

Associated Press Interview

WASHINGTON (AP) — Home prices are surging. Job growth is strengthening. And stocks are setting record highs.

All of which explains why Americans are more hopeful about the economy than at any other point in five years.

Consider Michael Quintos, head of a Chicago advertising agency that helps small businesses market themselves through social media. Quintos sees more optimism at work and among friends and relatives.

“A year ago, I had more friends asking me if I knew anybody who was hiring,” he says. “Now I have more people who are hiring asking me if I know anyone looking for a job.”

At work, Quintos is finding it easier to land customers. In the past couple of months, businesses that have asked about his services have been more likely to follow through and hire him. A year ago, most were wary.

“I’ve had more work than I can handle,” Quintos says. As a result, his firm hired a web designer last week.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/economic-gains-lift-us-confidence-5-year-high