Consumer Confidence Dips in December

New York, NY, Dec. 28, 2010 -- Consumer confidence, which had improved in November, decreased slightly in December, according to the Conference Board.

The organization's index reading for December is 52.5, down from 54.3 in November.

The Present Situation Index declined to 23.5 from 25.4. The Expectations Index decreased to 71.9 from 73.6 last month.

The survey is based on a representative sample of 5,000 U.S. households.

"Despite this month's modest decline, consumer confidence is no worse off today than it was a year ago," said Lynn Franco, director of the Consumer Research Center at The Conference Board.

"Consumers' assessment of the current state of the economy and labor market remains tepid, and their outlook remains cautious. Thus, all signs continue to suggest that the economic expansion will continue well into 2011, but that the pace of growth will remain moderate."