US consumer confidence dampens in December

US consumer confidence dampened in December, retreating from a 17-year high in November as optimism about the short-term outlook fell sharply, according to a closely-watched monthly survey released Wednesday.

While sentiment about current conditions were more positive than last month, consumers were more pessimistic about the situation for business and jobs six months out, the Conference Board reported.

The consumer confidence index fell to 122.1 from 128.6 in November, which was revised down from the originally reported 129.5, but still was the highest since 2000. The high confidence matched reports of solid sales in the holiday shopping season.

"The decline in confidence was fueled by a somewhat less optimistic outlook for business and job prospects in the coming months," said Lynn Franco, head of indicators at the Conference Board, which produces the survey, in a statement.

However, Franco said, "Despite the decline in confidence, consumers' expectations remain at historically strong levels, suggesting economic growth will continue well into 2018."

Consumers' feelings about present-day conditions were slightly more positive in December, as the percentage saying business conditions are "good" increased marginally to 35.2 percent, while those saying business conditions are "bad" decreased very slightly to 12.1 percent.

However, optimism about the short-term outlook declined sharply, as those anticipating business conditions will improve over the next six months declined to 20.2 percent from 23.1 percent, while those expecting business conditions to worsen increased to 9.2 percent from 6.7 percent.

The outlook for the job market also was less upbeat than in November. The proportion expecting more jobs in the months ahead decreased to 18.4 percent from 21.3 percent, while those anticipating fewer jobs rose to 16.3 percent from 12.1 percent.

Source: AFP