Consumer Confidence rebounds modestly in August

Expectations Index now at highest level since Decenber 2007

-- Home Textiles Today, 8/25/2009 9:09:00 AM

New York — The Consumer Confidence Index rebounded modestly to 54.1 in August, up from 47.4 in July, the Conference Board reported.

The research organization, which bases its index on a survey of 5,000 U.S. households by TNS, said its Present Situation Index increased slightly to 24.9 from 23.3 in July, while the Expectations Index improved to 73.5 from 63.4.

The cutoff date for August's preliminary results was Aug. 18.

"Consumer confidence, which had posted back-to-back monthly declines, appears to be back on the mend," said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center.

"The Present Situation Index increased slightly, mainly the result of an improvement in consumers' assessment of the job market. The Expectations Index improved considerably and is now at its highest level since December 2007 (Index, 75.8)," she said.

"Consumers were more upbeat in their short-term outlook for both the economy and the job market in August, but only slightly more upbeat in their income expectations. And, as long as earnings continue to weigh heavily on consumers' minds, spending is likely to remain constrained," Franco added.

Consumers' assessment of current conditions improved slightly in August. Those claiming business conditions are "bad" decreased to 45.6% from 46.5%, but those claiming conditions are "good" decreased to 8.6% from 8.9%.

Consumers' appraisal of the job market was more favorable this month. Those saying jobs are "hard to get" decreased to 45.1% from 48.5%, while those claiming jobs are "plentiful" increased to 4.2% from 3.7%.

Consumers' short-term outlook was much improved from last month. Those expecting an improvement in business conditions over the next six months increased to 22.4% from 18.4% Those anticipating conditions to worsen decreased to 15.8% from 19%.

The labor market outlook was also more upbeat. The percentage of consumers expecting more jobs in the months ahead increased to 18.4% from 15.5%, while those expecting fewer jobs decreased to 23.3% from 26.1%. The proportion of consumers expecting an increase in their incomes increased slightly to 10.6% from 10.1%.