Consumer Confidence Slips from Six-Month High in February

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he Conference Board said Tuesday its index of consumer confidence declined to 104 in February from a revised 105 the month before, which had been the highest level in six months.

The index was 88.5 last February and peaked for the year at 105.7 in July. The record was 144.7 in January 2000.

The index is a predictor of consumer spending. When people are feeling less confident about the economy, they are less likely to spend money, which decreases the demand for trucking services.

The index of expectations for the next six months dropped to 95.7 in February from 100.4. Fewer Americans expected an improvement in business conditions, employment and incomes.

However, a gauge of optimism about the present situation rose to 116.4 this month, the highest since September 2001, rising from 112.1 in January.

The Conference Board surveys 5,000 households on general economic conditions, their employment prospects and spending plans.

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