The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index gained 0.8 points, or 1.4%, in February, posting a reading of 56.4 vs. 55.6 in January 2017. The index is 6.4 points above its 12-month average of 50.0, 12.0 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered the last recession, and 7.3 points above its all-time average of 49.1.