US consumer confidence hits highest since August

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. consumer confidence has risen to its highest point since August on the strength of a brighter view of the job market and business conditions.

The Conference Board, a business research group, said Tuesday its consumer confidence index rose to 80.7 this month from a December reading of 77.5. It was the second consecutive strong gain.

"Confidence appears to be back on track and rising expectations suggest the economy may pick up some momentum in the months ahead," said Conference Board economist Lynn Franco.

Consumer confidence is closely watched because consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of U.S. economic activity.

FULL story at link.



Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140128/DABJT30O3.html

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In this Jan 2, 2014 photo, a pedestrian passes by sale signs on a store front window in Chicago. The Conference Board releases the Consumer Confidence Index for January, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

[Purveyor]

1. Thanks for posting. Forgot this one this morning. +1

[ailsagirl]

2. Good to hear but

we need an AVALANCHE of new jobs!

Thank you, W, for all you UN-did



Thanks for posting, Omaha Steve

[tofuandbeer]

3. +1

[fasttense]

4. We sure could use an Avalanche of jobs

Number of jobs the United States is still down from 2008 employment peak: 1.69 million".

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/27-shocking-numbers-that-reveal-the-true-state-of-the-union-20140128?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter

Add to that, we have had a population increase of over 13 million and we seem to be falling further behind instead of catching up.

But not to worry CONfidence is up. And as any good grifter knows, you must have confidence to keep the con running.