Consumer confidence up in Fla., down in U.S.

Floridians are a bit more confident in the economy, with the consumer confidence level up three points to 74 in September, according to a new University of Florida survey.

The three-point increase follows a four-point revised increase in August.

However, the national consumer confidence level, which was also up in August, dipped to 53.1 from 54.5.

“I think Florida consumers are buying into the argument that the worst of the recession is over and we have avoided a complete meltdown,” said Chris McCarty, survey director of UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business, in a news release.

However, he also warned that, as the holiday season nears and stimulus programs such as the first-time homebuyer tax credit expires, consumer confidence could decline at least a point or two.

The confidence index is made up of five components. Three were up, one was down and one was unchanged.

Perceptions of personal finances now compared with a year ago remained unchanged at 44, only five points above the all-time low of 39 in December. Expectations about personal finances a year from now fell three points, to 81.

Read full story:
Consumer confidence up in Fla., down in U.S. - South Florida Business Journal - September 29, 2009

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