Confidence Improves in May

Just getting to some posting, as I took the day off (planned for a few weeks). As today just happened to coincide with the nicest day of the year, I must say that my own outlook is improved.

Speaking of an improved outlook... consumer confidence jumped in May (how is THAT for a segue!). These numbers are still VERY low (less than 5% of those polled see a plentiful job market), but improved none-the-less. To the details (per the Biz Journal):

Consumer confidence has risen again this month, the third-straight month of gains, according to The Conference Board.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose to 63.3 in May, compared with 57.7 in April.

“Consumer confidence posted its third consecutive monthly gain, and although still weak by historical levels, appears to be gaining some traction,” Lynn Franco, director of the New York nonprofit’s Consumer Research Center, said in the release.

The base year, 1985, equals 100 in the index.

Source: Conference Board