NEW YORK, Nov 30 (Reuters) – U.S. consumer confidence rose
in November to its highest level in five months, helped by
improving labor market conditions and a jump in the
expectations index, according to a private-sector report
released on Tuesday.
The Conference Board, an industry group, said its index of
consumer attitudes increased to 54.1 in November, the strongest
since June, from a revised 49.9 in October.
The median of forecasts from analysts polled by Reuters was
for a reading of 52.6.
The October reading was revised down from an original
50.2.
Some economists had expected gains in the U.S. stock market
in September and October to give a boost to consumer
confidence.
The expectations index rose to 74.2 in November, the best
level since May, from 67.5 in October.
The present situation index advanced to 24.0 from 23.5.
Consumers’ labor market assessment slightly improved. The
“jobs plentiful” index increased to 4.0 from 3.5. The “jobs
hard to get” index was at 46.5 percent in November, compared
with 46.3 percent in October.
Americans are more upbeat about future jobs prospects.
Those expecting fewer jobs in the months ahead fell to 18.8
percent from 22.3 percent, while those expecting more jobs rose
to 15.5 percent from 14.5 percent.
×
Comments are closed.