U.S. consumer confidence retreats from 17-year high

NEW YORK, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. consumer confidence decreased in December, after touching a 17-year high in November, according to a closely-watched monthly survey released by the Conference Board Wednesday.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index stands at 122.1 in December, down from 128.6 in November and missing market consensus.

The Present Situation Index increased from 154.9 to 156.6, while the Expectations Index declined from 111.0 last month to 99.1 this month.

Consumers' appraisal of present-day conditions was slightly more positive in December. The percentage saying business conditions are "good" increased marginally from 35.0 percent to 35.2 percent, while those saying business conditions are "bad" decreased marginally, from 12.3 percent to 12.1 percent.

Consumers' assessment of the labor market was mixed. Those claiming jobs are "plentiful" decreased from 37.5 percent to 35.7 percent, while those claiming jobs are "hard to get" also decreased, from 16.8 percent to 15.2 percent (a 16-year low).

Consumers' optimism about the short-term outlook declined sharply in December. The percentage of consumers anticipating business conditions to improve over the next six months declined from 23.1 percent to 20.2 percent, while those expecting business conditions to worsen increased from 6.7 percent to 9.2 percent.

Consumers' outlook for the job market was also less upbeat than in November. The proportion expecting more jobs in the months ahead decreased from 21.3 percent to 18.4 percent, while those anticipating fewer jobs rose from 12.1 percent to 16.3 percent.

"The decline in confidence was fueled by a somewhat less optimistic outlook for business and job prospects in the coming months," said Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at the Conference Board.

"Consumers' assessment of current conditions, however, improved moderately. Despite the decline in confidence, consumers' expectations remain at historically strong levels, suggesting economic growth will continue well into 2018," Franco added.