Obama's approval ratings on upswing

In the wake of big announcements on immigration and Cuba, President Obama is enjoying his best approval ratings in 16 months, according to the Gallup tracking poll.

Obama's approval rating is 48% for the Dec. 27-29 period, his highest three-day average since late August of 2013, Gallup says.

Another 48% disapprove of the president's performance, Gallup notes.

"This marks the first time his approval-disapproval gap has not been negative since September of 2013," writes Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport.

Obama's ratings have been rising for several weeks now, in part because of increased support among Hispanics who like his plan to defer deportations for some migrants who are in the United States illegally. The president's recent decision to normalize relations may also be boosting his approval ratings.

"Some may reflect Americans' increasingly positive views of the economy and jobs picture," Newport writes on the Gallup website. "And some may be a 'Christmas bump,' reflecting Americans' more charitable attitudes in and around the Christmas season."

Newport adds:

"Three-day job approval averages are quite fluid, and the president's ratings may tick down in the days ahead. Still, reaching 48% is at least a temporary milestone for Obama, and is certainly much better news for the White House than if his rating had been trending in the opposite direction."