IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index Improves for Second Month

U.S. economic sentiment improved for the second month in a row in September, according to a report from Investor's Business Daily and TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence. The IBD/TIPP index of economic optimism bounced up three points to a reading of 45.8, up from August's 42.8 level and above expectations of a 44 reading.

Each of the three subcomponents saw improvement in the month, led by a jump in the economic outlook to 45.7 from the previous month's 40.1.

The personal financial outlook index was the only component in positive territory at 54.7 following a 51.8 reading in August, while the component looking at federal policies improved to 37.1 from a previous 36.4 reading.

The survey's margin of error is 3.3%. A reading above 50 signals indicates an optimistic outlook while below 50 suggests pessimism.

By Steve Stecyk and edited by Nancy Girgis
©CEP News Ltd. 2008