Consumer confidence, employment levels roughly 60% of levels in last economic expansion

Figures released by the Conference Board on Tuesday show that consumer confidence remains at its lowest levels since early 2009. During the economic expansion that preceded the "Great Recession," monthly consumer confidence index levels averaged 96.9, while unemployment averaged 5.1%. Since the June 2009 economic trough, the monthly confidence index has averaged 55.5 and unemployment 9.5%.