
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 30, 1994                   TAG: 9411300050
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                LENGTH: Short

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REACHES 4-YEAR HIGH, HERALDING GROWTH

Consumer confidence in the economy rose sharply in November to reach a four-year high, with more households optimistic about jobs and income, the Conference Board reported Tuesday.

The private business-research group said its Consumer Confidence Index climbed last month to 101.3 points, up from a revised 89.1 reading in October.

The index, calculated from a base of 100, is based on questionnaires sent to 5,000 U.S. households every month, querying consumers on such topics as home-buying plans and local job conditions.

Fabian Linden, executive director of the board's Consumer Research Center, said the index was at a four-year high and fears of an imminent slowing of the economy aren't realistic.

``The current level of confidence signals an expanding economy in the months ahead,'' he said.

The report said 25 percent of those surveyed said business conditions were good, up from 22 percent last month. Less than 18 percent believe business conditions are bad, down from 21 percent in October.

Also, more consumers felt jobs were ``plentiful,'' while an increasing number was confident about their family income and business conditions in the coming six months.

The Consumer Confidence Index is considered a barometer of consumer willingness to borrow and spend, two important contributors to the economy's overall growth.

- Associated Press

by CNB