The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index fell by 8.1 points (month-over-month) in January to 58.6. This is the lowest the index has been since November 2011. The decline is in part due to the increase in the Social Security payroll tax. The Present Situation Index decreased to 57.3 from 64.6, while the Expectations Index fell to 59.5 from 68.1. A reading of 90 indicates a healthy economy.
