By Ruth Mantell
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- As employment expectations slightly improved, consumer confidence ticked higher in September while remaining at low levels, the Conference Board reported Tuesday. The nonprofit organization said its consumer-confidence index rose to 45.4 in September from 45.2 in August, when it had plunged on U.S. debt worries, among other factors. "Consumer expectations, which had plummeted in August, posted a marginal gain. However, consumers expressed greater concern about their expected earnings, a sign that does not bode well for spending," said Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board's consumer research center, in a statement. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected a September reading of 46.1. The August confidence reading was upwardly revised from a prior estimate of 44.5. Generally when the economy is growing at a good clip, confidence readings are at 90 and above. The expectations barometer rose to 54 in September from 52.4 in August. The present-situation gauge fell to 32.5 - the lowest since January -- from 34.3.
