GOOD NEWS: Economists rely on various economic indicators in order to gain an enhanced view of the health of the economy. One such road sign is the measure of consumer confidence, which surprised most of the business community as it rocketed past economists’ forecasts in April to its highest level since November. This unexpected surge reflected a growing sense that the economy may have bottomed out. Some economists feel that Americans, with confidence returning, might be prepared to spend more money, which could get the economy to move forward again. The jump—to 39.2 from a revised 25.9 in March—is the largest gain since November 2005, when the economy was recovering from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

SECOND OPINION: The economists who felt that consumers “might be prepared to spend more money,” a couple of days later received support from the Commerce Department, which reported Americans stepped up purchases of cars, furniture and furnishings, and appliances. The sudden increase in consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of the economy, could set the stage for a rebound later this year. If consumers keep spending, their dollars could have a great impact on the state of the economy: Businesses will need to replenish their depleted inventories, leading factories to boost production and nourishing economic activity. Many economists believe the economy could start growing again by summer or, more likely, by the last quarter of this year.

THEN BUFFETT: The opinion most sought after, most revered and usually most accurate belongs to Warren Buffett, the Omaha Oracle and head of Berkshire Hathaway. Billionaire Buffett, whose company happens to own Shaw Industries, held a shareholders’ meeting last week and about 35,000 people packed an arena and overflow rooms to hear him and Berkshire’s vice chairman, Charles Munger. Buffett praised the decisions U.S. officials made to right the economy in the midst of a “financial hurricane” and defended the ones he made to help his company navigate the storm. In a five-hour session, he discussed the state of the economy and his company’s recent performance. He touched every base and pulled no punches, but he said he simply can’t predict how quickly the economy and the (stock) markets will improve.

NUANCE: Charles Munger has a somewhat different take on the future. “As I move close to the edge of death,” he said, “I find myself getting more cheerful about the economic future.” He sees “a final breakthrough that solves the main technical problems of man.” By harnessing the power of the sun, electrical power will become more available around the world. That will help humans turn sea water into fresh water and eliminate environmental problems. He adds: “If you have enough energy, you can solve a lot of other problems.” Buffett is a financial genius and he sees the future in terms of the economy, business and markets. Munger sees the future through a technical lens and from an environmental perspective. Great team.

LOVE STORY: First let me say, Jimmy Walker and American installers are the greatest in the world and they would never spy on anyone, not even make-believe. Now, the story: An Australian carpet layer relieved his new bride of almost everything she owned by convincing her he was a spy, she told the court. Wayne Charters, 54, pleaded not guilty to defrauding single mom Karen Roberts, but did admit he stole the suits he and his best man wore at their wedding. “I believed he was the man of my dreams,” Roberts told the court. Charters, who claimed the carpet laying was a cover given to him by national spy chiefs, fled to China after the honeymoon. He persuaded Roberts to sell her house and share the proceeds with him. He said he had to leave Australia because he “knew too much” and might be eliminated—and if she blew his cover, she’d be killed. Naw, our guys are nothing like that. This Charters guy sniffed too much glue.