Canadian consumer confidence diminished by problems abroad: Conference Board

OTTAWA – The Conference Board of Canada says its index of consumer confidence was down again in December, the third month in a row.

The index is based a monthly survey of consumer attitudes about a number of personal and general financial issues.

The Ottawa-based forecaster says Canadians are disheartened by an unstable global economy and the slow pace of economic recovery in the United States.

Its overall index dropped by 2.4 points from the previous month to 77.9.

That’s still eight points above where it was at the end of 2011 but lower than before the 2008-9 recession.

Among other things, the Conference Board found an elevated concern about future job prospects and the Canadian economy in general.