"With oil prices easing and the uncertainties of the election past, U.S. consumers show early signs of becoming more confident about the economic outlook.</br></br>The University of Michigan's consumer-sentiment index -- based on surveys conducted before and after the Nov. 2 election -- rose to a reading of 95.5 from 91.7 in October and 94.2 in September. In addition to the drop of oil prices below $50 a barrel and the resolution of a bitterly fought presidential campaign, the government reported recently that hiring in October was stronger than expected, all factors that should underpin confidence.</br></br>""Consumers will remain spending-minded,"" said Richard Curtin, the Michigan economist who oversees the confidence survey. He said the recent decline in oil prices was probably the key factor behind the improvement.</br></br>Households were spending-minded in October, though their pattern of spending showed signs of changing from the month before. The U.S. Commerce Department said retail sales in October rose 0.2% from September on a seasonally adjusted basis, after a 1.6% jump the month before. The back-to-back gains put household consumption on solid footing going into the holiday season.</br></br>One retailer that enjoyed steady gains in spending was Men's Wearhouse Inc., a Houston seller of men's suits with an average price of about $280. The retailer reported a hearty 8.9% increase in domestic same-store sales last month from a year earlier. ""Our business is kind of to the masses, to the middle-market kind of guy. I think he's doing fine,"" said Neill Davis, chief financial officer."