Americans’ Confidence in Their Finances Hits 16-Year High, Near Record Level

A skydiver flies with the American flag prior to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series JAG Metals 350 at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 2, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. Josh Hedges/Getty Images

Americans are more optimistic about their finances than they have been in 16 years, with 69 percent expecting their financial situation to improve in the next year, according to a survey released by Gallup on Feb. 11.

The optimism level is just two points off a peak reached in 1998, when 71 percent were optimistic about their finances in the year ahead.