WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?:

Consumer confidence rises unexpectedly (ANNE D'INNOCENZIO, 8/30/05, Associated Press)

Consumers reassured by the strengthening job market stayed optimistic in August despite the surging price of gasoline, giving a widely followed measure of consumer confidence an unexpected boost.

The Conference Board said Tuesday its Consumer Confidence Index, compiled from a survey of U.S. households, rose to 105.6 this month up from a revised 103.6 in July. The August figure was better than the 101 analysts expected.

What do Americans have to be optimistic about besides two decades plus of economic growth, full employment, deflation, and low interest rates?

Posted by Orrin Judd at August 30, 2005 12:15 PM