Consumer confidence ticks up

Two surveys show consumer con dence ticking up statewide and in Anchorage. The Alaska Con dence Index, a statewide survey of 800, sponsored by the Alaska Division of Economic Development, showed an overall index of 51.9, up from 49.2 last year in the rst quarter. An index over 50 re ects a slightly more positive view of economic prospects. A similar result showed up in an Anchorage survey of 350 residents. The Anchorage index was 52.5, up from 47.5 a year ago. Anchorage Economic Development Corp. sponsored the Anchorage survey. Both surveys were done by Northern Economics, an Anchorage-based economics consulting firm.

The economy itself hasn’t picked up, although recession-related job losses appear close to bottoming out. What may be driving con dence is press coverage of new North Slope oil discoveries and the Legislature’s action to stabilize the state budget using Permanent Fund earnings.