DJ ABC/Money: US Consumer Confidence Up 2 Pts In Latest Week
02/26/2003
Dow Jones News Services
(Copyright © 2003 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)
NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--U.S. overall consumer confidence made another modest increase last week, marking the third straight week of gains, according to the latest ABC News/Money Magazine poll.
The consumer comfort index rose two points to -19 in the week ended Feb. 23 from -21 a week earlier, Money Magazine said Wednesday.
The index is up a total of eight points in the last three weeks and is now back to its level at the start of the year.
According to the survey, 30% of respondents expressed confidence in the economy, up from 28% the week before. Also, 56% of those polled said their own finances were in good standing, unchanged from the prior week. In assessing the buying climate, 35% of respondents said it was good, the same as a week earlier.
The consumer comfort index was based on a random survey of 1,003 respondents nationwide ended Feb. 23. The index measures typical Americans' confidence in three areas: the national economy, their own finances, and their willingness to spend money, according to the report.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
-By Shayna Stoyko, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-4350; shayna.stoyko@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
02-26-03 1212ET |
