The Associated Press/Ipsos CASH Index fell to 89.8 in November, down 7.6 points from 97.4 in October. It marked the third consecutive month in which the consumer confidence measure had fallen.

The decline in the Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household Index was driven in part by the fact that more consumers felt their local economy would weaken in the next six months. But expectations showed some relation to political outlook: 56 percent of Republicans believed the local economy would improve in the next six months, while 56 percent of Democrats thought economic conditions would remain the same.

Although consumers’ reported experience of job loss remained stable, survey respondents expected the job market to be riskier in the next six months.

Ipsos Public Affairs (Washington) polls consumers twice a month about the current and future state of the local economy, personal financial situations, spending, saving, and confidence to invest. [February 2005 PET AGE]