Consumer Confidence Improves.(Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index)(Brief article)

BYLINE: Thomas L. Gallagher

Consumers surveyed by the Conference Board in December were more upbeat than in the previous month, but it's too soon to tell if the rosy outlook is a genuine signal of an improving economy.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index was virtually unchanged in November. In December, the index rose to 109, up from 105.3 last month. The Present Situation Index increased to 129.9 from 125.4. The Expectations Index improved to 95.1 from 91.9 last month.

"Despite the latest improvement in the Index, there is little to suggest that the pace of economic activity in …