No Progress For Consumer Confidence

March 24, 2009 — -- Improved expectations for the economy have yet to impact ratings of current conditions, which are stuck in the weeds.

The ABC News Consumer Comfort Index, based on current conditions, stands at -49 on its scale of +100 to -100, locked in a narrow 2-point range since mid-February with few signs of real improvement. That is despite a decrease in pessimism for the future – measured separately last week – in which 48 percent said the economy is getting worse, 10 points lower than last month and 34 points lower than its worst in October.

Click here for PDF of analysis with charts and data table.

Among the three components of the CCI, ratings of personal finances have stalled confidence, increasing from 51 percent negative in late February to 55 percent today. But negative ratings of the economy and the buying climate, far worse than personal finances at 92 and 76 percent respectively, have been steady.

Two other indicators of economic activity – the stock market and home sales – have seen a boost recently. The stock market rallied yesterday on the news of the Treasury Department's plan to clean up toxic assets on bank balance sheets and a better than expected real estate report saw a 5 percent increase in sales of pre-owned homes. But the measure that matters for consumer confidence is jobs. Until the unemployment rate – currently at a 25 year high – begins to subside, confidence is likely to languish.

INDEX – As noted, the CCI is based on Americans' ratings of the economy, their personal finances and the buying climate. Ratings of personal finances, the most positive of the three measures, dipped this week to 45 percent. That is down 4 points from its recent high of 49 percent on Feb. 22 but 4 points better than its lowest, 41 percent two months ago. Fewer than a majority have rated their own finances positively for 35 weeks straight, surpassed only by a 40-week run in 1992-93.

Twenty-four percent rate the buying climate positively, 14 points from the long-term average and just 6 points from the low in October and August. One quarter or less have said it's a good time to buy things for 10 weeks straight.