California shoppers, like many across the nation, seem a tad antsy about the future.
The Conference Board reports that its consumer confidence index for California was at 119.9 for July, down from 121.3 a month earlier but up from 108.2 a year ago.
The index has two key components. First, theres California consumers view of current conditions. Polling shows optimism is down from a month ago but up from a year ago. Second is the shoppers view of the economic future. That rose from a month ago but is down from a year ago.
In the months ahead, Californians face everything from a new governor to a wobbly housing market to congressional political uncertainty to possible economic fallout from potential trade wars.
Its a similar scene in other states. Of the seven other big state tracked by the Conference Board, overall confidence rose in one for the month and five for the year. Current conditions assessments rose in five states for the month and all seven in the year. But expectations were up in just one state for the month and up in only three for the year.
Nationally, the consumer confidence index was 127.4 for July, up from 127.1 a month earlier and up from 120 a year ago.
U.S. shoppers view of current conditions were up from both a month ago and a year ago. But consumer expectations were down in the month and year.
Have you checked out Bubble Watch …
Bubble Watch: Are house hunters shying from newly built homes?
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