CONSUMERS MAY BE LOSING THEIR CONFIDENCE

Though the economy appears strong, individual Americans may be growing slightly more pessimistic about their own finances. That's the conclusion of the latest Money Magazine/ABC News Consumer Comfort Index, which showed a small decline in weekly numbers released on Wednesday. The Index sagged three points to -21, down from a high of -17 in late July. One possible explanation: the steady rise in interest rates over the last year may be pinching people who need to borrow or who are stuck in variable rate loans or mortgages. A recent Money poll showed that 40% of Americans say rising interest rates have had a negative effect on their finances, as compared to only 8% who reported a positive effect. (The other 50% either had no opinion or felt that the rates were neither hurting nor helping them.)