A. GARY ANDERSON CENTER FOR ECONOMIC RESEARCH
ORANGE, CA — The California Composite Index of Consumer Confidence increased to 84.2 in
the month of August slightly higher than a reading of 82.7 in May of 2010. This marks four
consecutive increases in consumers’ confidence since August of 2009. An index level below 100,
however, reflects a higher percentage of pessimistic consumers as compared to those who are
optimistic. In contrast, the survey of consumer confidence at the national level conducted by the
University of Michigan showed a preliminary reading of 69.6 in the month of August lower than
the May reading of 73.6.