Americans' consumer confidence increased between September and October, according to The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index. The Index hit its highest point since December 2000. The Index now stands at 125.9, up from 120.6 in September. Consumers' assessment of present-day conditions, as well as their short-term outlook, improved. The monthly survey is based on a probability-design random sample and is conducted for by Nielsen. The Conference Board is a business membership and research association.