The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index advanced by 2.0 points, or 4.9%, in May posting 42.8 vs. 40.8 in April. The index is 2.9 points below its 12-month average of 45.7 and 1.6 points below its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 7.7 points below its all-time average of 50.5.