The Associated Press reported that Americans felt better about the economy in August as a barometer of sentiment posted the biggest rise in two years amid falling gas prices.

Two reports suggested a bottom could be nearing for the housing market.

The Conference Board, a private research group, said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose to 56.9 from a revised 51.9 in July. That’s the largest gain since August 2006 and was above the 53 expected by economists surveyed by Thomson/IFR.

It’s also the second month in a row that sentiment improved, after a six-month slide since January, but it remains about half what it was a year ago.