GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Florida consumer confidence is rebounding.
    
A University of Florida survey of 411 residents, which was released Tuesday, showed a 3 point gain in July to 76. That score is on a two-to-150 scale with 100 equaling consumer confidence in the benchmark year of 1966.
    
Floridians' perception of being better off than they were a year ago went up 5 points to 82 - the highest it's been since the end of 2009.
    
They also were more optimistic about their personal finances and that now is a good time to buy big-ticket items. But their confidence in the nation's economy during the next five years dropped.
    
Chris McCarty, director of the university's Survey Research Center, said rising housing prices low and record-low mortgage rates have contributed to the overall optimism.

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