US consumer confidence rises, near all-time low - ABC

[UpInArms]

Source: Reuters

NEW YORK, Aug 19 (Reuters) - American consumers' confidence edged up in the latest week as gasoline prices eased, but it was still close to its historic low, a survey showed on Tuesday.

The ABC News Consumer Comfort Index rose to -49 in the week to Aug. 17 from -50 in the previous week. Its all-time low, reached in May, is -51.

The index components were mixed, with positive views on the national economy and the buying climate both up 1 percentage point to 11 and 19 percent respectively. Views on personal finances were unchanged at 47 percent.

Confidence measures are generally viewed as a barometer of consumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of the U.S. economy. However, economists note that consumers do not always act in accordance with their statements to surveys.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/economicNews/idUSN1932098720080819

---

stupid - almost unreadable - headline

:banghead:

[Dr.Phool]

1. Just readable enough for a big Wall Street rally tomorrow!

Yippee!!!! We've turned the corner

:party: :toast: :bounce: :bounce: :toast: :party:

[Hissyspit]

2. Except for the huge bank failure and the second wave of housing foreclosures waiting

around that corner.

[Dr.Phool]

6. They always find an excuse for a sucker rally.

"But, we thought it was gonna be -54! It's not as bad as we thought! Buy, Buy Buy"!

Bye-Bye.

[islandmkl]

3. oh yeah....minus 49...that feels SO much better than minus 51 felt....

i knew i saw some spring in everybody's step today...

and the f***ing twinkling eyes...

it is all okay, now....

[fascisthunter]

4. lol....Did Donald Rumsfeld Come Up with That Headline

[Doctor_J]

5. Rumsfeld:Is it still low? Sure. Can it get better? Of course.

[dysfunctional press]

7. it's going to be a DISMAL holiday season...

especially if mccancer gets in.

at least an obama victory MIGHT give enough people enough hope for even the near future that they feel good enough to find a way to spend some money. those that have it.

[OhioChick]

8. Had to do a double-take on that headline!

:banghead:

[Supersedeas]

9. nothing to see here -- feed them more Turtle on Wheels and Smiling Condi in Poland

[Javaman]

10. yet another headline that makes my brain sad. nt