The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index declined again in September, the second consecutive monthly dip, and now stands at 96.8 (1985=100), down from 98.7 in August. The Present Situation Index fell to 95.5 from 100.7 in August.
Consumers' assessment of overall present-day conditions was mixed, with those saying business conditions are "good" rising to 23.6 percent in September from 23.0 percent the previous month. Those claiming conditions are "bad" remained flat at 20.3 percent, compared with 20.2 percent last month. The job situation was less favorable than in August, with consumers saying jobs are "plentiful" declining to 16.8 percent in September from 18.4 percent the previous month. Those claiming jobs are "hard to get" rose to 28.3 percent from 26.0 percent in August.