Consumer confidence ticks higher in September

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch)
As employment expectations slightly improved, consumer confidence ticked higher in September while remaining at low levels, the Conference Board reported Tuesday.
The nonprofit organization said its consumer-confidence index rose to 45.4 in September from 45.2 in August, when it had plunged on U.S. debt worries, among other factors.
"Consumer expectations, which had plummeted in August, posted a marginal gain.
However, consumers expressed greater concern about their expected earnings, a sign that does not bode well for spending," said Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board's consumer research center, in a statement.
Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected a September reading of 46.1.
The August confidence reading was upwardly revised from a prior estimate of 44.5.
Generally when the economy is growing at a good clip, confidence readings are at 90 and above.
The expectations barometer rose to 54 in September from 52.4 in August.
The present-situation gauge fell to 32.5 - the lowest since January -- from 34.3.