Consumer confidence in the future of the U.S. economy slid downward in November, The Conference Board reports.
The board's Consumer Confidence Index for November was a seasonally adjusted 113.1, down from 116.9 in October. The level of confidence in 1985 has been set at 100.November confidence, however, was higher than year-ago levels. For the same month last year, the index was a seasonally adjusted 100.8.
Fabian Linden, executive director of the board's research center, said the 5,000 consumers surveyed last month seemed to be more concerned about the immediate future than they were in October.
The Conference Board is a private business research organization.
"Growing uncertainty about the immediate future appears to be the reason for the latest dip in consumer spirits," Linden said. "The budget and trade deficits and other major economic problems, largely ignored by both candidates during the Presidential campaign, are now emerging as urgent issues."
The board's survey showed only 19 percent of consumers thought conditions would improve in the coming months.
Spending plans were relatively steady for the holiday shopping season. About 7.3 percent of consumers said they planned to buy automobiles in November, while 27 percent said they would purchase a major appliance.
Plans to buy homes, however, dropped in November as mortgage rates continued to rise. Only 2.9 percent of consumers said they were in the market for a new home, down from 3.7 percent in October.