The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index eked out a 0.6% gain to 53.9 in June from 53.6 in May, the second straight gain for the index after posting two monthly declines. In February, the index hit its highest reading since October 2004. It’s now the 21st straight month that it has been over 50 — which signals overall optimism about the economy. It is also above its long-term average of 49.4. The index stood at 44.4 in December 2007, the month that the U.S. officially entered a recession. [MORE: Go to link here.]
