Consumer Confidence Continues to Improve
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had improved in November, increased further in December. The index now stands at 64.5 (1985=100), up from 55.2 in November. The Present Situation Index increased to 46.7 from 38.3. The Expectations Index rose to 76.4 from 66.4.
“After two months of considerable gains, the Consumer Confidence Index is now back to levels seen last spring (April 2011, 66.0),” said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center. “Consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions improved again. Looking ahead, consumers are more optimistic that business conditions, employment prospects and their financial situations will continue to get better. While consumers are ending the year in a somewhat more upbeat mood, it is too soon to tell if this is a rebound from earlier declines or a sustainable shift in attitudes.”
