1.   Among those reasons are higher consumer confidence readings and a decline in business inventories in December, he said.

2.   And the worst stock market rout in a decade barely affected consumer confidence readings in October and November.

3.   Consumer and business confidence readings at the beginning of the year showed dramatic drops, especially measures of expectations for the future.

4.   Consumer confidence readings, however, can provide a false reading on the course of the economy.

5.   Economists and investors watch the index because high confidence readings traditionally mean consumers feel secure enough to spend money and propel the economy.

6.   Even economic trouble in Asia and the worst stock market rout in a decade barely affected consumer confidence readings in October and November.

7.   For another, consumer confidence readings have come down since the summer.

8.   The strong national recovery has lifted confidence readings throughout the country.

9.   They note that consumer confidence readings in Massachusetts have been rising steadily over the past few years.

10.   Analysts said more favorable economic statistics in recent days including higher consumer confidence readings and a rebound in factory orders probably helped the Fed opt for a smaller cut.