U. S. Poll Shows Economic Optimism declines

The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index, a pioneering national poll on consumer confidence, declined for the fourth consecutive month.

The October index fell another 3.6% after September’s 9.5% drop, moving from 48.5 last month to 46.8 this month, and remained in the negative territory for the second successive month.

For the IBD/TIPP indexes, a reading above 50.0 signals optimism and below 50.0 indicates pessimism concerning the U. S. economic performance.

The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index has established a strong track record of foreshadowing the confidence indicators issued later each month by the University of Michigan and The Conference Board.