Rasmussen Consumer Index

Consumer Confidence Falls to Lowest Level Since April 30

Sunday, June 21, 2009

The Rasmussen Consumer Index, which measures the economic confidence of consumers on a daily basis, fell two points on Sunday, dropping to its lowest level since April 30. At 68.8, the index is down three points over the past week and seven points over the past month. Consumer confidence is up nine points from the beginning of the year.

The Rasmussen Reports Prediction Challenge asks you to predict where consumer confidence will be on June 30. Those who have predicted so far expect consumer confidence to fall to record lows by the end of next month. Make your prediction HERE.

Nationally, 25% of adults believe the U.S. economy is getting better these days, while 50% feel conditions are getting worse. Consumers are slightly less optimistic about the current state of their personal finances. Only 17% claim their finances are improving. Just over half (53%) say their finances are getting worse.

The Rasmussen Investor Index slipped a little over a point today to 76.8. That's down two points from a week ago and down nine points from a month ago. Investor confidence is up thirteen points from the first reading of the year.

Among investors, 31% think the economy is getting better, but 45% believe they're getting worse. In terms of finances, 24% say they're getting better, while 45% claim their finances are not improving.

The Rasmussen Consumer Index and Investor Indexes 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 March 10, 2009 at 54.7.

The Rasmussen Investor Index reached its highest level ever at 150.9 on January 7, 2004. The lowest level ever measured was 52.5 on March 9, 2009.

The baseline for the Rasmussen Consumer Index was established at 100.0 in October 2001. At 68.8 overall levels of economic confidence are significantly lower today than they were in the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_ ... umer_index