Millionaires Upbeat About Economy

Shrugging off financial market volatility, wealthy Americans are not curtailing plans to purchase luxury cars, go on cruises, or remodel their homes -- though some are putting of buying new boats and vacation homes, according to a recent survey.

Based on a poll of 615 men and women with an average annual income of $302,500 and a net worth of $3.3 million, the wealthiest 10 percent of U.S. households have a more optimistic outlook on the economy and loser spending plans than the general population, according to the American Affluence Research Center, a Miami-based market research firm.

Despite the positive outlook, expectations for future business conditions, the stock market, and household income have slipped to a two-year low, the survey found.

In the six-year history of the survey, respondents have tended to become more optimistic about the economy as their income and net worth increases, the firm said.

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