Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Consumer Outlook Turns Less Rosy

Compiled From Wire Services

Consumer faith in the economy weakened in May as Americans turned slightly less optimistic about employment prospects, the Conference Board reported Tuesday.

But the business research group’s monthly report on consumer sentiment also suggested that underlying confidence levels in the economy remain healthy, with no reason to fear a significant slowdown in growth.

The group’ monthly index of consumer confidence, widely followed by the financial markets for insights into the economy’s health, dropped to 101.6 from a revised reading of 104.6 in April.

However, the index still is higher than the March level of 100.2, February’s 99.4 and January’s 101.4. It’s also sharply higher than its year-earlier level of 88.9.