The Conference Board’s index of consumer confidence rang in above estimates for the month of April. The 12.3-point gain ousted expectations of a five-point increase — launching this month’s gain to the fourth highest in the index’s 32-year history.

April’s increase led to the index’s highest-monthly reading since last November. Despite opinions that current conditions remain weak, consumer outlook for the future are improving. The index’s expectations component rose by over 19 points to its highest reading since last September.