The Massachusetts Comsumer Confidence Index fell three points this quarter to 82, but the drop is far smaller than both the national and New England numbers. U.S. consumer confidence fell eight points between July and October, but at 96, it's still higher than the Massachusetts index. New England consumer confidence fared worst of all, nosediving 16 points to 72, its lowest point in two years.

The Massachusetts Consumer Confidence Index is published quarterly by Mass Insight, a Boston-based firm that organizes public-private initiatives on competitive issues affecting Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Index is modeled on the national Conference Board Index.  The Conference Board index is scaled to a 1985 base of 100 and varies above and below 100; the Mass Insight Index is adjusted to the Conference Board scale using a constant factor. The sur­vey on which the Massachusetts Index is based is conducted for Mass Insight by Opinion Dynamics Corporation of Cambridge.  This survey consists of telephone interviews with 500 adult residents of Massachusetts. 

Sales & Use Tax Figures