Consumer confidence shows positive signs

NEW YORK ABC News announced that its weekly gauge of U.S. consumer confidence reached its 2009 high for the second time this year.

The ABC Consumer Comfort Index jumped to -42 in the week ended Dec. 20 from -45 the prior week.  The CCI had been held in a range of -47 to -45 since Nov. 8.

ABC noted that 30% of those surveyed said now was a good time to spend moneyn a sign of some hope for retailers. Ratings of personal finance also are up. But views of the national economy pull confidence back down.