Consumer confidence jumps in Nov

Consumers will probably increase their spending for the 1995 Christmas shopping season, according to polls of consumer confidence. The Conference Board found the consumer confidence index for November 1995 was 101.4, up from 100.4 in 1994. The small increase contrasts with more gloomy economic forecasts. A separate survey found that shoppers expect to spend about 2% more than in 1994, and a University of Georgia forecaster predicted retail sales gains of 5.8% for the 1995 season.
WASHINGTON - The Conference Board's latest consumer confidence index, released Tuesday, should bolster retailers' hopes for the holiday season. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the index in November jumped to [...]