Nearly Half of Consumers Say Attacks Will Drive U.S. Into Recession

New York—A Sept. 18-19 survey of 750 consumers, conducted for The Conference Board by NFO WorldGroup, shows that 47% believe the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 will accelerate the already sluggish economy’s fall into a recession. On the other hand, 53% don’t believe the events will trigger a recession. “While nearly 90% of consumers say they will not cut back on their buying plans,” says Conference Board Research Center director Lynn Franco, “it’s important to note that this figure is very likely to fall as widespread layoffs begin to materialize.”