Minor improvement in consumer confidence

But mood still gloomy

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index increased from 48.6 in September to 50.2 in October.  Practically speaking, however, consumer confidence remains under pressure and has been hovering in a narrow range for over a year.

Moreover, it is still very close to where it stood when the recession ended in June 2009.



The sluggish job market and the fragile recovery are the primary reasons clouds aren’t clearing over confidence.

Nonetheless, consumer spending has been in a modest upward trend, though still anxious consumers continue to hinder sales growth.