LIers ended 2011 slightly more optimistic

Consumer confidence on Long Island edged up in the final three months of 2011 but was still lower than at the beginning of the year, according to a poll released Tuesday.

The Siena College Research Institute reported its confidence index for Nassau and Suffolk counties was 62.8 in the October-December period, an increase of 1 point from the previous quarter. The local index was 71.1 in January-March 2011, the highest since Siena began tracking the sentiment of local residents three years ago.

The index was 67.7 in October-December 2010. Readings below 76.01 indicate the number of people expressing pessimism about their economic well-being is greater than those who are optimistic.

Siena pollster Donald Levy said Long Islanders were more pessimistic than residents of other parts of New York State. Confidence indexes were higher in Rochester, New York City and Buffalo.

"In no area are consumers truly upbeat," he said.

At Roosevelt Field mall Tuesday, some shoppers said they were worried about losing their jobs after seeing neighbors with pink slips.

"Look at what's going on in the county -- hundreds of people were fired," Rosie Coppola, an office worker from Mineola, said, referring to recent layoffs of Nassau County workers. "I see no reason to be hopeful about the future."

Retailers follow consumer confidence indexes, which often indicate the willingness of shoppers to open their wallets. Consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of the nation's economic activity.

The number of Long Islanders saying they plan to purchase an automobile, home or furniture in the next six months was up from the July-September period. The biggest increase was in cars and trucks.

However, fewer people expect to buy computers or start a major home improvement project compared with the third quarter.

The survey is based on more than 400 interviews conducted locally from October through last month.

Outside the Macy's department store at Roosevelt Field, retiree Fred Wright said he was mulling whether to buy a more fuel-efficient car. The Massapequa resident said, "With gas prices as high as they are, I'm thinking it's time to sell my truck and get a hybrid" car.

Long Islanders said they plan to buy these big-ticket items in the next six months:

Car or truck: 12 percent, up 1.8 percentage points from July-September 2011

Computer: 13.9 percent, down 2.5 points

Furniture: 16.9 percent, up 0.7 points

Home: 2.8 percent, up 0.4 points

Major home improvement project: 12.5 percent, down 3.2 points

Based on telephone survey of more than 400 adults in October-December 2011

Source: Siena College Research Institute