Poll: Consumer confidence down slightly though showing strength

Positive feelings about the economy are moving in line with a steadily improving labor market, which has shown consistent strengthening since August. 

After rising nine points in December (from -43 to -34) and by the same amount in January (from -34 to -25), the index improved at a slower pace in the middle of February, increasing by just two points from the start of the month, to -23 from -25.

Gallup said found that unemployment is rising in February — to 9 percent from 8.6 percent in January — according to its figures, which ma

Deterioration in the job market may be partially to blame for this apparent deceleration in economic confidence, as Gallup finds U.S. unemployment rising to 9.0% thus far in February from 8.6% in January.

Both components of the index eased last week. 

The Gallup current conditions rating — a measure of whether more consumers rate the present economy in positive terms or negative terms — fell to  -31 from -27. 

The economic outlook rating — indicating the extent to which consumers think the economy is either improving or worsening — fell to -15 from -12.