Much of the new optimism probably stems from the higher pay that people in all income groups have been getting since 1996.

The political implications of the new optimism are less clear than the economic effects, public opinion experts said.

Yet clearly there is a new optimism in the air.

Like other analysts, he noted that stock prices have not yet reflected this new optimism.

The onetime union leader appears to be out of step with Brazil's new optimism.

Yet even with this new optimism, the negotiators have a long way to go.

The 1950s brought a new optimism to the city.

By the end of the 59/60 campaign, a new optimism had arrived.

Colonel North's television triumph is not the only reason for this new optimism.

"And now you can see that after three or four years of crisis, there's a new optimism," he said.