Consumer confidence falls in December as tax cut high fades

Consumer confidence in the United States has fallen amid public concern that economic growth will slow down next year and benefits from last year's tax cuts will fade, the Associated Press reports.

By the numbers: The index measures consumers' assessment of the economy and their outlook for the next six months. The Conference Board, a business research group, said its consumer confidence index fell to 128.1 in December, reaching its lowest mark since July. In November, consumer confidence was at 136.4.