Rasmussen Consumer Index

Consumer Confidence Falls to Another Record Low

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Consumer confidence has once again fallen to an all-time record low.

The Rasmussen Consumer Index, which measures the economic confidence of consumers on a daily basis, fell for the ninth-time in eleven days and is now at the lowest level ever recorded. Consumer confidence had shown signs of improving earlier in January and around the time of President Barack Obama’s inauguration, but the continuing drumbeat of economic news has taken hold and driven confidence back down once again. At 56.7, the Consumer Index is down three points over the past week and down ten points over the past three months.

The previous low of 56.8 was established in mid-December. During 2008, record-lows for consumer confidence were established on a regular basis.

Just 6% of adults now rate the U.S. economy as good or excellent while 69% rate it as poor. Eight percent (8%) say the economy is getting better while 71% say it is getting worse.

The Rasmussen Investor Index, lost a point on Sunday and continues to hover just above record lows. At 60.1, investor confidence is down six points from a week ago, down three points from a month ago, and down fourteen points over the past three months.

A plurality of Investors oppose the economic recovery plan working its way through Congress while a plurality of non-Investors support it. Scott Rasmussen provides an analysis of the politics surrounding the recovery plan.

Other economic data shows that just 61% of workers now say that when they leave their current job, it will be their choice. A growing number expect their employer to make that decision. In healthier economic times, 80% of workers expected that they would decide when to change jobs.

Full month data for December shows confidence setting a record all-time low for the seventh time in the last ten months. The Discover U.S. Spending Monitor also fell to a record low in December. One-third (34 percent) of consumers plan to spend less in January. This compares to 22 percent in November and just 24 percent from a year ago.

The Rasmussen Consumer Index and Investor Index are derived from nightly telephone surveys of 500 adults and reported on a three-day rolling average basis. The baseline for the Index was established at 100.0 in October 2001. Readings above 100.0 indicate that confidence is higher than in the baseline month. Detailed supplemental information is available for Premium Members. Historical data for the Consumer and Investor indexes as well as attitudes about the economy and personal finances are also available to Premium Members.

The Rasmussen Consumer Index reached its highest level ever at 127.0 on January 6, 2004. The all-time low was reached on February 1, 2009 at 56.7.

The Rasmussen Investor Index reached its highest level ever at 150.9 on January 7, 2004. The lowest level ever measured was 58.5 on December 16, 2008.

The baseline for the Rasmussen Consumer Index was established at 100.0 in October 2001. At 56.7, the overall levels of economic confidence are significantly lower today than they were in the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

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