Regional consumer confidence weakens

A survey of consumer confidence shows the Southeast, weighed down by the
collapse of Florida housing, in even worse shape than the rest of
the country. RBC Bank’s Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household
survey said its index for the region last year was 79.9, above the
national average of 75.8. Today, the Southeast index has plummeted to
24.8, compared to 31.0 nationwide.