Study Shows Buyer Unease

sumer confidence edged down in November after October’s record decline, the Conference Board said today.

The consumer confidence index of the private business research organization stood at 61.5, down from 115.1 one year ago and 62.6 in October.

“The current consumer confidence index figure has fallen to recession levels, and is now only marginally above the figure recorded during the lowest point of the 1982 economic downturn,” the board said.

Americans have become less confident about current and future business conditions, and plans to buy homes and major appliances weakened slightly, the board reported.