Bloomberg Weekly Consumer Comfort Index

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort index rose last week to -50.2 from -53.0 a week earlier.

Following is a table with the latest survey results:

========================================================================
                   Oct. 2 Sept. 25 Sept. 18 Sept. 11  Sept. 4  Aug. 28
                     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011
========================================================================
Overall index       -50.2    -53.0    -52.1    -49.3    -49.3    -49.1
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State of Economy    -84.3    -86.4    -88.9    -86.6    -88.7    -87.3
 Positive Net           8        7        6        7        6        6
  Excellent             2        1        1        1        0        0
  Good                  6        6        5        6        5        6
 Negative Net          92       93       94       93       94       94
  Not-so Good          37       39       44       44       44       43
  Poor                 55       54       51       49       51       51
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

========================================================================
                   Oct. 2 Sept. 25 Sept. 18 Sept. 11  Sept. 4  Aug. 28
                     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011
========================================================================
Personal Finances    -9.1    -11.6     -7.5     -0.7     -5.8     -6.1
 Positive Net          46       44       46       50       47       47
  Excellent             6        5        5        5        5        5
  Good                 39       40       41       44       42       42
 Negative              55       56       54       50       53       53
  Not-so Good          36       38       39       35       32       31
  Poor                 18       18       15       16       21       22
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Buying Climate      -57.3    -61.0    -59.9    -60.7    -53.5    -54.0
 Positive Net          21       20       20       20       23       23
  Excellent             2        1        1        1        1        1
  Good                 19       19       19       18       22       22
 Negative              79       81       80       80       77       77
  Not-so Good          48       50       52       54       50       49
  Poor                 30       30       28       26       27       28

Demographic Data Follows (see ALLX COMF for data tickers):
========================================================================
                   Oct. 2 Sept. 25 Sept. 18 Sept. 11  Sept. 4  Aug. 28
                     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011
========================================================================
                 ------------------------ Sex ------------------------
 Men                -48.5    -51.2    -51.3    -48.4    -47.5    -48.5
 Women              -51.8    -54.7    -52.8    -50.2    -51.1    -49.7
                 ------------------------ Age ------------------------
18-34               -47.7    -52.9    -52.9    -43.3    -49.1    -43.1
35-44               -53.5    -54.6    -52.4    -55.0    -46.3    -42.2
45-54               -50.5    -54.4    -52.4    -54.0    -55.3    -58.5
55-64               -54.0    -51.7    -52.8    -45.8    -41.4    -51.4
65+                 -47.6    -50.0    -49.2    -52.0    -53.8    -55.8
                 ----------------------- Region ----------------------
NorthEast           -45.0    -43.8    -40.1    -33.6    -41.7    -47.4
MidWest             -57.8    -54.7    -49.0    -45.4    -42.2    -40.8
South               -44.8    -53.6    -55.2    -57.1    -57.4    -54.1
West                -55.8    -57.8    -59.7    -53.6    -49.6    -50.5
                 ------------------------ Race -----------------------
White               -50.4    -51.5    -50.3    -49.6    -48.1    -49.0
Black               -54.4    -57.0    -59.9    -50.6    -60.9    -59.7
========================================================================
                   Oct. 2 Sept. 25 Sept. 18 Sept. 11  Sept. 4  Aug. 28
                     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011
========================================================================
                 ----------------------- Income ----------------------
<$15K               -64.8    -79.9    -80.4    -80.9    -90.8    -90.6
$15K To $24.9K      -70.6    -72.3    -77.8    -73.4    -69.9    -69.1
$25K To $39.9K      -63.5    -53.1    -55.0    -67.8    -51.9    -46.8
$40K To $49.9K      -55.9    -58.0    -56.8    -54.2    -63.6    -62.0
$50K+               -32.9    -35.2    -34.9    -27.9    -30.7    -30.1
$50K To $74K        -56.9    -54.3    -49.9    -36.2    -37.3    -43.9
$75K To $99K        -25.1    -28.6    -33.9    -27.7    -39.5    -33.1
$100K+               -7.6    -11.2    -13.7    -18.1    -18.2    -15.1
                 ------------------ Political Party ------------------
Republican          -39.3    -44.3    -39.1    -40.3    -48.4    -46.7
Democrat            -46.9    -52.9    -57.0    -58.3    -62.2    -57.8
Independent         -58.7    -55.1    -51.4    -44.1    -41.9    -44.1
                 --------------------- Education ---------------------
<HS                 -69.7    -74.1    -76.2    -79.6    -68.1    -67.5
HS Grad             -63.0    -63.8    -63.3    -53.2    -51.4    -53.2
Coll+               -36.2    -40.0    -38.9    -38.9    -43.4    -41.4
========================================================================
                   Oct. 2 Sept. 25 Sept. 18 Sept. 11  Sept. 4  Aug. 28
                     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011     2011
========================================================================
                 ------------------- Homeownership -------------------
Own                 -48.7    -49.5    -47.1    -45.4    -45.5    -47.4
Rent                -55.1    -63.0    -65.6    -61.6    -62.6    -55.6
                 ------------------- Martial Status ------------------
Single              -47.4    -57.2    -59.6    -53.4    -53.2    -49.8
Married             -47.9    -48.0    -45.2    -43.9    -43.6    -43.3
Sep/Wid/Div         -60.6    -60.2    -58.8    -59.1    -61.7    -66.6
                 --------------------- Employment --------------------
Full-Time           -42.0    -41.3    -41.4    -38.0    -36.2    -38.6
Part-Time           -64.8    -72.2    -62.3    -60.1    -53.5    -48.9
Not Employed        -55.1    -61.1    -61.4    -59.5    -61.6    -59.6
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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     -7.6     -8.6    -17.9    -18.0    -13.8    -11.1
========================================================================

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 Oct. 2. 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: Kristy Scheuble in Washington at kmckeaney@bloomberg.net

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