Consumers surveyed in the Conference Board's monthly index of how they feel about the economy and their futures are more buoyant this month than in October, figures released today show.

The November index is 56.0, up from 40.9 in October. The base for the scale is 100 in 1985.

Two less-publicized indices rose, too. The Present Situation Index got to 38.3 from 27.1, and the board's Expectations Index went from 50.0 to 67.8.

"Consumers appear to be entering the holiday season in better spirits, though overall readings remain historically weak," said Lynn Franco, who leads The Conference Board Consumer Research Center.

Other measures are not cheery, but are better than in October.

• Those anticipating business conditions to improve over the next six months increased to 13.6 percent from 10.2 percent.
• Those expecting business conditions to worsen went from 21.3 percent to 15.8 percent.
• People who said they expect more jobs rose to 12.9 percent from 10.8 percent.
• Those who expect fewer jobs decreased to 24.1 percent from 27.6 percent.
• Polling found that 14.9 percent of consumers foresee higher incomes, up from 11.1 percent.