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(CNSNews.com) – Americans’ confidence in the economy continues to grow, as Gallup shows the highest levels measured since mid-March.

At the end of the August 13 week, Gallup's U.S. Economic Confidence Index averaged +8, up from last week’s +7 average that ended a three-month period in which confidence was stagnant between zero and +5.

The U.S. Economic Confidence Index shows an average of how Americans are rating current economic conditions and whether they believe the economy is improving or getting worse.

The index’s scale is between -100 and +100. If Americans were to report that the economy is doing well, the index would be at +100, and if all Americans believed the economy was in a bad state with no sign of improvement, the index would be at -100.

Despite a small drop in March, the 2017 confidence level has remained positive compared to the continuously negative level recorded from 2008 through 2016.

The poll, conducted by telephone Aug. 7-13, sampled of 3,505 adults throughout the 50 states and the District of Columbia.