MTSU poll finds slip in consumer confidence

Don't look now, but pessimism about the economy has edged up in the past three months, perhaps providing an unwanted shot of cold water that could dampen consumers' willingness to spend money over the holidays.
A broad array of consumers in the Nashville area, including those who still have jobs, say they're a little less certain of the future than they were even in September, according to the latest consumer confidence survey by Middle Tennessee State University's Office of Consumer Research.

The MTSU confidence index fell to 83 in December from a more vibrant 142 rating in September, based on a survey of 410 people in Davidson, Rutherford and Williamson counties on Monday and Tuesday.

The survey asks people a series of questions about their economic condition, confidence level and willingness to buy consumer goods, homes, cars and home furnishings.

Fewer people than in September said they're confident about the U.S. economy's prospects for the next 12 months, and slightly fewer consumers said they're willing to make big-ticket purchases of things such as cars or a house.

"Fears about further losses in the job market are having an excessive drag on people's feelings about the future," said Timothy R. Graeff, director of the Office of Consumer Research.

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