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Consumer outlook improves
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December 12, 2001: 7:52 a.m. ET
ABC/Money poll shows more Americans believe economy is improving.
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NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Fewer Americans think the economy is getting worse than did a month ago, with many saying their own finances are in good shape and that now is a good time to buy things, according to the latest ABC News/Money magazine poll.
About 37 percent of Americans say the economy is getting worse, the poll, released late Tuesday, revealed. That's down 11 points from a month ago. Additionally, 24 percent see things as improving, an 8 point increase from last month.
The poll, which was released Tuesday but was conducted before the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the 11th time this year, indicates that Americans' confidence in the economy remains little changed, though expectations for improvement have increased.
According to the poll, 37 percent hold a positive outlook for the economy. That's down sharply from 71 percent back on Jan. 7. However, 47 percent say now is a good time to buy things, which is little changed from the 48 percent who said so in February.
The ABC News/Money magazine Consumer Comfort Index came in at negative 3, which is unchanged from a week ago. Confidence is stronger now than at the start of the July 1990 recession, the poll found, citing personal income, interest rates and inflation, all of which directly affect consumers, have stayed in relatively good shape.
Sixty-two percent said their own finances were "excellent" or "good," unchanged from a week ago.
The ABC News/Money magazine Consumer Comfort Index represents a rolling average based on telephone interviews with about 1,000 adults nationwide each month. This week's results are based on 1,033 interviews conducted through Dec. 9. The margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points. 
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