U.S. consumer confidence eases in December to 128.1

U.S. consumer confidence eases in December of this year. The Conference Board’s measure of consumer confidence fell to 128.1 in December as choppiness in financial markets dominated financial news headlines throughout the month.

While this trend for consumer spending might have fallen, sentiment continues to be historically quite high. At least through the end of the year, bright sentiment might translate into a strong finish for retailers and holiday sales, noted Wells Fargo in a research report.

In the midst of the tightest labor market in years, only 11.6 percent of consumer feel that jobs are hard to get. In the meantime, 46.2 percent feel that jobs are plentiful, which is slightly below the highest proportion of consumers who have felt that way since 2001.

Even if mortgage rates have moved in lock-step with short-term interest rates, they have moved widely higher in recent months and weighing on plans to purchase a home.

At 17:00 GMT the FxWirePro's Hourly Strength Index of US Dollar was neutral at 37.6591. For more details on FxWirePro's Currency Strength Index, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex