Concerned About Jobs, U.S. Consumers Still Foresee Better Times

ByJohn S. McClenahen Nearly half -- some 47% -- of the 1,000 U.S. adults responding to a recent Ipsos-Reid/Consumer Economics poll say they are less sure of their jobs now than they were six months ago. However, 42% expect their economy to be stronger six months from now, significantly higher than the 18% who describe current economic conditions as strong. Similarly, 46% expect their personal financial situations to be stronger six months from now, while only 28% say their financial situations are strong today. The nationwide poll, which has a +/- 3.1% margin of error, was conducted Jan. 4-6 by Washington D.C.-based Ipsos-Reid US Public Affairs, a unit of the Paris-based Ipsos Group.