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August US RealClearMarkets/TIPP Optimism Index Declines on Drop in Six-Month Outlook

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The first look at consumer confidence for August declined from July, with the RealClearMarkets' monthly index falling to 45.1 from 45.5 in the previous month on decrease in one of its components.

A reading above 50 suggests optimism, while a reading below 50 suggests pessimism.

The six-month outlook index declined to 39.9 in August from 42.1 in July, the outlook for personal finances increased to 53.0 from 52.2 and the measure of confidence in Federal Economic Policies rose to 42.3 from 42.1.

The Financial Related Stress Index rose to 64.7 in August from 62.8 in July, an indication of increased financial concerns.

"After July's broad rebound, the headline index held most of its gain, easing just 0.4 points to 45.1," Raghavan Mayur, president of polling company TechnoMetrica said. "The composition was encouraging in places: Americans' assessment of their own finances rose to its highest since March, and confidence in federal economic policy improved for a third straight month. But the forward-looking Six-Month Outlook gave back part of last month's jump, and financial stress climbed again, rising for 18 of the 21 groups we track."

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