Consumer Confidence Edges Up

The Consumer Confidence Index saw its first increase of 2008. The July reading (51.9) is up over June’s revised figure (51.0). Survey respondents calling business conditions “bad” rose slightly, but those who see things as “good” grew even more, from 11.5 percent to 13.1 percent.

“The modest improvement in expectations, often a harbinger of economic times to come, bears careful watching over the next few months,” said Lynn Franco, The Conference Board Consumer Research Center director.