81.   At the same time, the economy continues to add jobs and consumer confidence hovers near record levels.

82.   At the same time, analysts point to low unemployment, rising incomes and near-record consumer confidence as signs demand will rebound in the third quarter.

83.   At home, polls show consumer confidence is at record highs.

84.   Automakers, most notably the Chrysler unit of DaimlerChrysler, are also suffering from soft demand for new cars and declining consumer confidence overall.

85.   Auto executives emphasized that they had been expecting a slowdown in the industry because of surveys showing a decline in consumer confidence but were disappointed beyond expectations.

86.   Beazer Homes Plc shares fell after the U.K. homebuilder warned that it expects to report lower profit next year as poor consumer confidence restrains demand for housing.

87.   Bank of Canada Governor Gordon Thiessen said as recently as last month he wants to raise consumer confidence by cutting rates.

88.   Birchfield said he believes consumer confidence is more important than interest rates for an economic turnaround.

89.   Bonds pared the gains after contradictory reports showed a rise in consumer confidence in June and factory orders in May.

90.   Bonds and stocks rallied after reports showing weaker-than-expected retail sales in December and sinking consumer confidence raised expectations the Fed will cut rates soon.