Bloomberg Weekly Consumer Comfort Index

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort index was unchanged last week at -49.3.

Following is a table with the latest survey results:

========================================================================
                 Sept. 11  Sept. 4  Aug. 28  Aug. 21  Aug. 14   Aug. 7
                     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011
========================================================================
Overall index       -49.3    -49.3    -49.1    -47.0    -48.3    -49.1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
State of Economy    -86.6    -88.7    -87.3    -84.3    -85.4    -85.2
 Positive Net           7        6        6        8        7        7
  Excellent             1        0        0        1        1        1
  Good                  6        5        6        7        7        7
 Negative Net          93       94       94       92       93       93
  Not-so Good          44       44       43       40       41       40
  Poor                 49       51       51       52       52       52
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

========================================================================
                 Sept. 11  Sept. 4  Aug. 28  Aug. 21  Aug. 14   Aug. 7
                     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011
========================================================================
Personal Finances    -0.7     -5.8     -6.1     -4.5     -8.4     -7.2
 Positive Net          50       47       47       48       46       46
  Excellent             5        5        5        5        5        5
  Good                 44       42       42       42       41       41
 Negative              50       53       53       52       54       54
  Not-so Good          35       32       31       31       33       32
  Poor                 16       21       22       22       22       22
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Buying Climate      -60.7    -53.5    -54.0    -52.4    -51.2    -55.0
 Positive Net          20       23       23       24       24       23
  Excellent             1        1        1        1        2        3
  Good                 18       22       22       23       23       20
 Negative              80       77       77       76       76       78
  Not-so Good          54       50       49       46       46       46
  Poor                 26       27       28       30       30       31

Demographic Data Follows (see ALLX COMF for data tickers):
========================================================================
                 Sept. 11  Sept. 4  Aug. 28  Aug. 21  Aug. 14   Aug. 7
                     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011
========================================================================
                 ------------------------ Sex ------------------------
 Men                -48.4    -47.5    -48.5    -42.9    -43.4    -43.5
 Women              -50.2    -51.1    -49.7    -51.0    -53.0    -54.4
                 ------------------------ Age ------------------------
18-34               -43.3    -49.1    -43.1    -37.9    -41.5    -37.8
35-44               -55.0    -46.3    -42.2    -47.1    -44.0    -50.2
45-54               -54.0    -55.3    -58.5    -57.1    -61.4    -60.4
55-64               -45.8    -41.4    -51.4    -48.3    -50.5    -54.8
65+                 -52.0    -53.8    -55.8    -51.6    -48.8    -49.9
                 ----------------------- Region ----------------------
NorthEast           -33.6    -41.7    -47.4    -47.3    -49.0    -54.2
MidWest             -45.4    -42.2    -40.8    -37.5    -38.4    -37.9
South               -57.1    -57.4    -54.1    -50.1    -51.4    -48.8
West                -53.6    -49.6    -50.5    -51.1    -52.3    -56.0
                 ------------------------ Race -----------------------
White               -49.6    -48.1    -49.0    -47.6    -47.7    -49.1
Black               -50.6    -60.9    -59.7    -49.1    -54.7    -51.3
========================================================================
                 Sept. 11  Sept. 4  Aug. 28  Aug. 21  Aug. 14   Aug. 7
                     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011
========================================================================
                 ----------------------- Income ----------------------
<$15K               -80.9    -90.8    -90.6    -80.9    -80.3    -76.5
$15K To $24.9K      -73.4    -69.9    -69.1    -69.4    -74.1    -77.7
$25K To $39.9K      -67.8    -51.9    -46.8    -50.7    -49.5    -64.0
$40K To $49.9K      -54.2    -63.6    -62.0    -60.8    -58.8    -47.4
$50K+               -27.9    -30.7    -30.1    -32.0    -30.2    -33.4
$50K To $74K        -36.2    -37.3    -43.9    -50.0    -52.4    -54.2
$75K To $99K        -27.7    -39.5    -33.1    -22.9    -17.8    -21.1
$100K+              -18.1    -18.2    -15.1    -19.0    -15.7    -21.0
                 ------------------ Political Party ------------------
Republican          -40.3    -48.4    -46.7    -44.4    -47.6    -45.6
Democrat            -58.3    -62.2    -57.8    -55.0    -53.2    -54.0
Independent         -44.1    -41.9    -44.1    -42.8    -44.8    -44.4
                 --------------------- Education ---------------------
<HS                 -79.6    -68.1    -67.5    -52.4    -56.5    -57.4
HS Grad             -53.2    -51.4    -53.2    -54.8    -60.4    -59.7
Coll+               -38.9    -43.4    -41.4    -40.6    -38.3    -40.1
========================================================================
                 Sept. 11  Sept. 4  Aug. 28  Aug. 21  Aug. 14   Aug. 7
                     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011
========================================================================
                 ------------------- Homeownership -------------------
Own                 -45.4    -45.5    -47.4    -45.9    -46.5    -47.0
Rent                -61.6    -62.6    -55.6    -51.2    -53.4    -54.0
                 ------------------- Martial Status ------------------
Single              -53.4    -53.2    -49.8    -41.1    -45.9    -45.4
Married             -43.9    -43.6    -43.3    -41.3    -43.5    -43.8
Sep/Wid/Div         -59.1    -61.7    -66.6    -69.9    -64.2    -64.4
                 --------------------- Employment --------------------
Full-Time           -38.0    -36.2    -38.6    -40.6    -42.4    -43.6
Part-Time           -60.1    -53.5    -48.9    -48.2    -45.2    -47.9
Not Employed        -59.5    -61.6    -59.6    -52.9    -54.7    -54.3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Polarization index: This is the difference in consumer confidence
between Democrats and Republicans. The larger the absolute figure,
the greater the divergence in confidence.
Dem.-Rep. Spread    -18.0    -13.8    -11.1    -10.6     -5.6     -8.4
========================================================================

The CCI is reported in a four-week rolling average; this week’s results are based on telephone interviews among a random national sample of 1,000 adults in the four weeks ending Sept. 11. The results have a 3-point error margin. Field work by SSRS/Social Science Research Solutions of Media, Pa.

The index is derived by subtracting the negative response to each index question from the positive response to that question. The three resulting numbers are added and divided by three.

The index can range from +100 (everyone positive on all three measures) to -100 (all negative on all three measures). The survey began in December 1985.

Survey questions: Would you describe the state of the nation’s economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

Considering the cost of things today and your own personal finances, would you say now is an excellent time, a good time, a not so good time or a poor time to buy the things you want and need?

SOURCE: Bloomberg News

To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Tanzi in Washington at atanzi@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Marco Babic at mbabic@bloomberg.net