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The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had declined sharply in August, remained essentially unchanged in September. The Index now stands at 45.4 (1985=100), up slightly from 45.2 in August. The Present Situation Index decreased to 32.5 from 34.3. The Expectations Index edged up to 54.0 from 52.4 last month.

Consumers’ assessment of current conditions weakened further in September, with those claiming business conditions are “good” decreasing to 11.7 percent from 14.1 percent, and those claiming business conditions are “bad” remaining virtually unchanged at 40.4 percent.

Consumers were slightly less pessimistic about the outlook for the job market. Those anticipating more jobs in the months ahead rose 12 percent from 11.8 percent, while those expecting fewer jobs declined to 28.6 percent from 31.2 percent. The proportion of consumers anticipating an increase in their incomes, however, declined to 13.3 percent from 14.3 percent.

C.A.R.