Consumer confidence increased in eight New York state metropolitan areas in the second quarter, according to the latest Quarterly Consumer Sentiment survey from the Siena College Research Institute.
Central New Yorkers are more confident about their immediate financial wellbeing than at any time in years, according to the Siena poll released Thursday. Siena Research Institute Founding Director Doug Lonnstrom says the New York City region had the highest overall consumer confidence of the nine, while the Binghamton region ranked lowest. Lonnstrom adds Albany is doing well.
The Siena survey found that statewide, consumers don't feel as positive about the future, likely due to continued concerns about the job market. Dan Moran with NextAct of Colonie monitors jobs, and while he sees the rising tide of consumer confidence news in Utica as a good sign, he's pleasantly surprised by a rise in job postings in New York state.
Moran notes that job postings nationally dropped sharply during the same period. He adds that the Capital Region continues to outpace Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, all larger markets with more employers and population.