WASHINGTON — A flurry of reports Thursday showed that U.S. consumers are growing more confident and spending more, boosting a still-weak economy just five days before the presidential election.

Consumer confidence surged in October to its highest level in nearly five years. Americans were encouraged by recent declines in the unemployment rate. And they responded by spending more on cars and trucks, at retail businesses and on goods produced at U.S. factories.

Still, businesses remain nervous about where the economy is headed and that could weigh on hiring. The October jobs report, to be released Friday, is expected to show another month of tepid job growth. Superstorm Sandy could also slow economic growth slightly in the final months of the year.

For now, the stock market welcomed the signs of improved economic health. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped 128 points in midday trading, and broader indexes also increased.

“While short of any glowing upside surprises ... U.S. economic data are at least all moving in the right direction,” Robert Kavcic, an economist at BMO capital Markets, said in note to clients.

Thursday’s reports showed:

The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index rose to 72.2 last month. That’s the highest reading since February 2008. While the index is still below the 90 reading consistent with a healthy economy, it has risen from a reading of 40.9 a year ago. That’s the biggest one-year increase since 1994, Kavcic said.

Sales in retail stores open at least one year rose 5 percent in October, according to a tally from 21 retail chains by the International Council of Shopping Centers. That was better than analysts expected. Some of that increase may reflect higher spending for generators, batteries, water and other supplies in preparation for Superstorm Sandy.