Consumer confidence in New York State held steady in February, according to researchers at Siena Research Institute.
SRI founder Dr. Doug Lonnstrom says for the first time since August and September of 2007, the index has hovered just below the break-even point where optimism equals pessimism for two months in a row.
He adds downstaters see the glass as "half full," while upstate New Yorkers continue to say it's "half empty."
Lonnstrom says at this point, many consumers are still hesitant to make major purchases; buying plans were down for cars and trucks, furniture, homes, and major home improvements.
The nation's consumer confidence rose three tenths of a point in February. New York's overall confidence is half a point below the national level.
The full survey can be found at the Siena Research Institute site.
