Consumer confidence posts another increase

Posted on 29 December 2009

ShareTweet

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in November, rose again in December.

The index now stands at 52.9, up from 50.6 last month.

The Expectations Index increased to 75.6 from 70.3 last month. The Present Situation Index, however, declined to 18.8 from 21.2 in November.

"Consumer Confidence posted yet another moderate gain in December, as expectations for the short-term future increased to the highest level in two years," said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center, in a statement.

"The Present Situation Index, however, continued to lose ground and remains at a 26-year low," Franco added. "A more optimistic outlook for business and labor market conditions was the driving force behind the increase in the Expectations Index. Regarding income, however, consumers remain rather pessimistic about their short-term prospects, and this will likely continue to play a key role in spending decisions in early 2010."

The Consumer Confidence Survey is based on a representative sample of 5,000 U.S. households. The cutoff date for December's preliminary results was Dec. 21.

Click here for the full report.

Comments

4 Tuesday, 29 December 2009 21:14

Nothing will change..uncle sam will stick his hand in your pocket more frequently to pay for citizens and government programs that do not, have not and will not work! The current administration and congress wants to burden american small business owners with increased operating costs. It will create more citizens living off of the government and the people left working will be asked to pay the bills!

3 Tuesday, 29 December 2009 18:09

A wise economist said many years ago, "In times like these it helps to remember that there have alway been times like these."

2 Tuesday, 29 December 2009 17:23

Chuck- a good, sober assessment. Obama admin creates nothing but debt and uncertainty, and until that changes, and banks make money available to folks who do not actually need it, we are stuck in the trough.

Hang in there- Americans still love to have fun and be together, and boating offers that in abundance.  Here's to a better 2010, and a true change that can project our great country forward again in November.

1 Tuesday, 29 December 2009 16:50

And if you believe those numbers or that groups surveys,  you probably believe that hyper government spending will helps us get out of this downturn.......or that the stimulus plan, oh wait, its now the recovery plan, has helped small business and the common man.

Free markets, small businesses, like the boat business, will never recover under an administration that wants to tax and spend........Consumers will be less likely to spend money for boats or other recreational items when they find out how much their tax liabilities will be going up starting in 2010.......

Good luck everyone

yvComment v.1.21.1